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Board pauses decision after hours of testimony on suicide-prevention contract; staff favored OCAPICA for Medi‑Cal billing
Summary
After more than an hour of testimony from survivors, clinicians and nonprofit leaders, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to continue consideration of a contested $1.65 million post‑suicide‑prevention contract to June 24 so staff can return with certification, budget and split‑contract options. The Health Care Agency had recommended awarding the contract to the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance Inc. (OCAPICA) because the bidder scored higher on Medi‑Cal billing readiness; incumbent Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services and dozens of supporters urged continuity of care.
Orange County supervisors on May 20 paused a contentious decision over who will provide the county’s suicide postvention and self‑harm reduction services, sending the matter back to staff after hours of personal testimony.
The Health Care Agency had recommended awarding the roughly $1.65 million Mental Health Services Act contract to the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance Inc. (OCAPICA), citing procurement panel scores that emphasized the winning bidder’s readiness to obtain Medi‑Cal certification and bill Medi‑Cal for services under the Behavioral Health Services Act transition. County staff told the board that a provider able to bill Medi‑Cal would reduce the county’s net costs and could generate roughly $1.8 million in reimbursable revenue over a year, an estimate staff said depends on productivity and certification timelines.
The recommendation provoked sustained public comment: more than 40 speakers had signed up and dozens of people — survivors,…
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