[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6674112,"mediaKeyId","2083760-7fccec5e19ce837bbb7a698339c69c04","parentId",2083760,"title","Votes at a glance — San Francisco Health Commission, Jan. 6, 2025","audioSeconds",5162,"startMs",293000,"endMs",5455000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2083760-7fccec5e19ce837bbb7a698339c69c04&start=293&end=5455","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2083760-7fccec5e19ce837bbb7a698339c69c04/thumbnail_293000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6674112/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-San-Francisco-Health-Commission-Jan-6-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6674112-c282dc60930707a5e305673605f5319d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164443&Signature=GvgHLSFmf4kxHY7NrXmIJnC~Ftm0XbBUNcBdXfmgLt8KtwNtWINfTwt4AIx7~guuQtxUYVEvpHwu7F1O3z7Fba7SI6X35~tSjTWyzssYlURzwTKIwC4~frLdUklj-~U0OCj~6i6Yb4TL2vsqzcW0PuZyVbqbK4oOVHK1-iY3VJqAA6JxICSAOzYZShatOE0lw6J8ubxWBrL36aiOSz1iC8MA-AUh4v~kU9JECYEBZskOoYdU32Gpic7ubcRJAXcouTSflEU1q~C9BcYRwluLv5mTiwpRHHjfybzMNMNtgWEbXPGeVIEsGk~leN6fAzsAj-yOVD~eHNuQdK78T3JGNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of San Francisco","date","2025-01-06T00:00:00Z","article","The San Francisco Health Commission recorded the following formal actions during its Jan. 6 meeting (voice votes as recorded in the meeting transcript):

1) Approval of minutes — Health Commission meeting of Dec. 17, 2024
Motion: \"I motion to approve.\" (mover indicated in the room; second voiced)
Outcome: Approved (voice vote: \"Aye\").

2) Resolution to accept and expend a gift from the San Francisco Public Health Foundation
Motion: Motion to approve the department's request to accept and expend a forthcoming gift from the San Francisco Public Health Foundation (amount stated in the DPH paper as \"1,700 and $44,131\" in the meeting transcript). Greg Wong presented the item.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote: \"Aye\").

3) Consent calendar (contracts, policies, reports) including items reviewed by the Finance & Planning Committee
Motion: Motion to approve consent calendar items.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote: \"Aye\").

4) Adjournment
Motion: Motion to adjourn.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote: \"Aye\").

Notes on vote records: The audio transcript records voice votes of \"Aye\" for each item and does not provide roll-call tallies or named yes/no votes. When the meeting recorded a motion and a second, those spoken indications were captured; the transcript does not include precise vote tallies or recorded votes by individual commissioners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of San Francisco - Video Open Video Only in Windows Media Player - Jan 06, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved minutes, accepted a public-health foundation gift, and approved the consent calendar by voice votes; tallies were recorded as voice 'aye' votes in the meeting.","taxTitle","San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California","taxId",5751,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6674117,"DPH review finds Vizient group-purchasing membership yielded net rebates and supply continuity",1353,3726000,5079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2083760-7fccec5e19ce837bbb7a698339c69c04&start=3726&end=5079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2083760-7fccec5e19ce837bbb7a698339c69c04/thumbnail_3726000.jpg","/articles/6674117/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/DPH-review-finds-Vizient-group-purchasing-membership-yielded-net-rebates-and-supply-continuity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6674117-d70999b676bc1ac520f0706bfce7b26b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164443&Signature=fJYbg6UA-ARVLGyQS4gL11mWsk1qWmI5gzGuy9lIFqdmOX92soowikNLvfktpCHN-p5o7V--mVaUGQwrKEVTHHQb9dQMwihMyFhuVixhppSZ4r3oN7I3wlWHovACbQah8zkUGyWBjhbJH-aIb0eP29q9fcHlkoLUJ-k2YU8xCpZ~bUfT2a9DOEw8UJMdbIJpptmsfTvcZ5Jtql~~C3SaYBM22EbBo6-hp3bd1D4fTaRnmRMXHyWOpt4p1Lv4Iifq4plfy7oKay~ROeG3C7fuvZKniwJ0VwOdXoKDF54aFntupBZ6y2v7~u9avKzqJuC4bFSjSx0Rt58b8nHO780Dzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Supply-chain and support-services staff told the Health Commission that San Francisco Department of Public Health's five-year participation in the Vizient group purchasing organization (GPO) has yielded net financial benefits and helped the department maintain supply continuity.

Nadir Hamoud, executive administrator for support services, said DPH receives rebates from Vizient and uses those monies across hospitals and services. He described three evaluation criteria: whether the GPO streamlined acquisitions, the level of rebates returned to DPH and cost savings relative to market alternatives.

Why it matters: Hospitals and health systems depend on reliable medical-supply access. Hamoud told the commission that during recent national shortages — including intravenous fluid supply constraints — DPH coordinated clinical use and used Vizient relationships to secure additional shipments so that no surgeries had to be canceled at DPH hospitals.

Key findings from the presentation

- Rebates and fees: Hamoud presented rebate data showing DPH earned tiered rebates; for example, in 2023 the department received approximately $2.0 million in rebates plus about $281,000 in impact-standardization payments. Annual membership fees paid to Vizient in 2023 totaled roughly $486,536; rebates were larger than fees.

- Streamlined procurement: Hamoud said the GPO lets DPH use pre-negotiated contracts without separate solicitations, which shortens procurement lead times and provides guaranteed supplies from contracted vendors.

- Cost savings: Hamoud said Vizient negotiations provide baseline discounts and that DPH continues local negotiations with suppliers to secure additional savings (he cited a $900,000 additional saving achieved through negotiation with Medline in 2024).

Operational notes and oversight

Hamoud said DPH will monitor rebate tiers and supplier agreements to try to maximize rebates and that GPO membership has an administrative fee structure tied to the specific service lines used by the department.

Commissioner questions and public comment

Commissioners asked how the department handles national shortages and whether GPO membership improves leverage with suppliers. Hamoud said DPH coordinated daily with clinical teams during the IV fluid shortage and had standing contracts and supplier guarantees that avoided surgery cancellations. A public commenter questioned a related contract extension with Chinese Hospital for skilled-nursing beds; commissioners and staff discussed that comment as part of consent agenda items later in the meeting.

Ending

DPH concluded that the Vizient GPO participation provides an overall positive benefit via rebates, procurement efficiencies and improved supplier access; staff recommended continuing membership and monitoring performance.","Department of Public Health staff presented a five-year assessment of the department's participation in Vizient, a health-care group purchasing organization (GPO), reporting that rebates exceeded membership fees and that GPO membership helped secure supplies during nationwide shortages.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6674120,"DPH outlines Mental Health SF rollout and reports an estimated 20% drop in overdose deaths through Nov. 2024",1382,3065000,4447000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2083760-7fccec5e19ce837bbb7a698339c69c04&start=3065&end=4447","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2083760-7fccec5e19ce837bbb7a698339c69c04/thumbnail_3065000.jpg","/articles/6674120/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/DPH-outlines-Mental-Health-SF-rollout-and-reports-an-estimated-20-drop-in-overdose-deaths-through-Nov-2024","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6674120-854da60acbbb2b016125fb1021ffa586/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164443&Signature=doYuC1WJ7dntHiT5D963FtjrtB7oJMfBjaIyWktcPsWXAeKCoBQxcXWRPvtVaoFLyozoSUzb-TqK7EHV--U3eFuAZ687Uz25WnQEwr-3JPJ9hdj9hoM~FXY0IR9ruhpivNd27P9WOCHQOHe05hVu0tAI4sLy~SPwhYkzUJn8KbdBm2xmoWWh4do5WGdA1phf1c3Orq4o79CB6Dvq4PeCW1~qtSwPJcXbZVpCr7HnUJyNwEcLCcXU5NEFq6qPtHOWOLcGQZXtciuWEdbf2Is0tD51B3zHUjcfoJueh-9YCGswifnyYoD0kaow~bjN4onZ~NzlzsB8~nN3AeQepQ9gIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Public Health's Behavioral Health Services (BHS) presented a broad update on implementation of Mental Health SF, addiction-treatment expansions and overdose response work at the Jan. 6 Health Commission meeting.

Dr. Hilary Coonens, presenting the update, said Mental Health SF — the 2019 legislative program funded primarily by Proposition C — has expanded coordinated care, street-based services and residential capacity and has opened new access hours at clinics and pharmacies. \"We have added approximately 400 new residential care and treatment beds,\" Coonens said, while acknowledging staffing challenges that have affected how quickly some beds have been opened and staffed.

Why it matters: Commissioners sought results and implementation detail for components of Mental Health SF (Office of Coordinated Care, Street Crisis Response Team, Mental Health Service Center and residential expansions). The department reported progress in street-based outreach, medications for opioid use disorder and crisis-response capacity, and shared preliminary data on overdose deaths.

Key program updates and data

- Service expansion: The Office of Coordinated Care now centralizes referrals and care coordination; BHS reported more than 8,500 unique individuals served in the most recent fiscal year and more than 9,000 street-team engagements with over 1,300 direct connections into services.

- New facilities and beds: Coonens said a 16-bed voluntary crisis stabilization unit is expected to open in spring at a city-acquired site (822 Geary was identified later in Q&A). She described state-funded transitional housing (approximately $35 million over four years) to support people with behavioral health needs and plans to apply for state capital funding for additional residential projects.

- Overdose response and medications: BHS reported preliminary data through November 2024 indicating the city is on track for \"greater than 20% fewer deaths compared to 2023.\" From January–October 2024, the department recorded more than 1,300 new admissions to DPH-funded methadone clinics (a 35% increase over the same period in 2023). BHS also described a telehealth program (expanded to 16 hours, seven days a week) that facilitated nearly 1,500 telehealth visits between March and October 2024 and led to roughly 40% of callers initiating medication for opioid use disorder; when callers could be placed in a stabilization bed, treatment starts rose to about 90%.

- Buprenorphine access: The San Francisco Health Network reported that clients prescribed buprenorphine increased 59% compared with the prior year and that evening clinic hours and telehealth navigation contributed to the rise.

Oversight and safety

Coonens addressed questions about oversight of contracted substance-use providers after media reports of fatal overdoses at a treatment site. She said DPH implemented immediate actions including an investigation, increased client screening and monitoring, reduced off-site passes when appropriate, and an Agency Technical Assistance Plan requiring heightened oversight. Coonens said the provider's prior practices had exceeded state minimum requirements, and DPH is working with the provider to strengthen safety and monitoring.

Commissioner questions and next steps

Commissioners asked about workforce shortages, use of state Medi-Cal reforms (CalAIM, BH Connect) to expand billable services, and how new capital-state funding will be applied; Coonens said operating funds remain a constraint and the department is planning to use multiple revenue sources (state grants, Medi-Cal billing, local funds) to sustain new programs. Commissioners requested additional data on crisis-team response times for children and Seneca criteria; BHS agreed to provide follow-up data by email.

Ending

Commissioners and the director praised BHS for progress while noting ongoing gaps in the highest-acuity residential bed types, workforce shortages and the need for sustainable operating dollars to make capital investments effective.","Behavioral Health Services briefed the Health Commission on Mental Health SF implementation, expanded street-based care and treatment access, and preliminary data showing a decline in overdose deaths; the department described continuing gaps in high-acuity residential beds and plans for additional facilities and programs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6674125,"DPH confirms Laguna Honda waiver to CMS pending; public commenters seek more transparency on mock surveys and admissions",0,780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2083760-7fccec5e19ce837bbb7a698339c69c04&start=780&end=780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2083760-7fccec5e19ce837bbb7a698339c69c04/thumbnail_780000.jpg","/articles/6674125/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/DPH-confirms-Laguna-Honda-waiver-to-CMS-pending-public-commenters-seek-more-transparency-on-mock-surveys-and-admissions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6674125-2db68ab3a363db4d6d9deb0e3dea63ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164443&Signature=NrKxCpXQrVdKjAK7IcAdEVEm-9JwqRk5683Tdobt81y4gVV1Zkv4vLuU0TapnW099pfSIup9LWcSjsK0IJxpDxT5TKI3wZKybR5sCWpWr6Ojfy00sKahTRuO89lS9cH9WnTPiVl2BleR5Fh~WbXf2Hw1G74CJJGTPFmZkVH03NHMYWyLMU1CdI1wsuk48LAzESxbtiJFS8cJU~gQM80341RR18ZqOfu3vzF~uYh8Bygi7cd4Gw0SP0cNaCwqj26x4QtP6b-PEsvoXPbzJkIZ8pyViKnXtoAa-KRVOGXI93Y~I20etziFGNNVt9N9F~mMPcnDm08uh2gXfA9Qn2ic1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Francisco Department of Public Health told the Health Commission that it has applied to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a waiver covering 120 Laguna Honda Hospital (LHH) beds and is awaiting a CMS decision without a definitive timeline.

Director of Health Grant Colfax informed commissioners that the department \"applied, following the process, as instructed, by CMS\" for the waiver and that the Laguna Honda team will provide updates, including at the next Health Commission meeting on Jan. 13. Colfax did not provide a timeline because CMS has not shared one.

Why it matters: Public commenters and several commissioners pressed DPH for more transparency and more rapid action on admissions to Laguna Honda, noting concerns about long waits for people who need nursing-home level care.

Public comment and concerns

- Patrick Monet Shaw, a public commenter, said he filed records requests for mock-survey documents and alleged that SFDPH records staff had denied some requests citing California Evidence Code section 115. Shaw expressed concern that refusal to release mock-survey results \"suggest to observers that LHH potentially still has major problems in patient care and safety, and LHH is hiding something.\"

- Dr. Teresa Palmer, a caller from the public record, asked whether the department is pursuing the waiver for the 120 beds and, if not immediately, what barriers exist. She also raised concerns about admissions pace and reports of an applicant being advised to disenroll from insurance without advice on how to seek exceptions, and asked whether admissions staff are assisting people with insurance or Medi-Cal navigation.

DPH response and staffing changes

- Colfax announced the hiring of Diltar Sedoo (transcript spelling), who has been acting nursing home administrator, as chief nursing home administrator for Laguna Honda Hospital. A public commenter later questioned Sedoo's past experience; one caller said Sedoo's first job as a nursing home administrator was at a facility that closed.

- Colfax and staff described department actions to apply for the waiver and said they have \"confirmed with CMS that they have everything they need to make a decision\" but that CMS provided no timeline.

Commissioner questions

Commissioners asked whether changes in federal administration could affect the speed of CMS review; Colfax said he could not speculate and reiterated that the department had submitted required materials and was awaiting a decision. Commissioners also raised questions about admission pace and whether DPH's admission processes could be accelerated.

Ending

Commissioners directed staff to report back with updates on the waiver application and admissions metrics at future meetings. Public requesters reiterated a demand for release of mock-survey documents and additional transparency about admission processes.","Director Grant Colfax told commissioners the department applied to CMS for a waiver covering Laguna Honda Hospital's 120 beds and is awaiting a decision; public commenters urged release of mock-survey documents and faster admissions, and asked for clarity on barriers to obtaining a waiver.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6674132,"San Francisco health officials say H5N1 risk to general public remains low but monitoring continues",879,1406000,2285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2083760-7fccec5e19ce837bbb7a698339c69c04&start=1406&end=2285","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2083760-7fccec5e19ce837bbb7a698339c69c04/thumbnail_1406000.jpg","/articles/6674132/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/San-Francisco-health-officials-say-H5N1-risk-to-general-public-remains-low-but-monitoring-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6674132-003426d518709618a8c592e74861059e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164443&Signature=CF0YLBKsK7yw8LXuv4iC7p77qcBmT5SSxMivLsIbzsyTurtiqBTdYIzcR46DSuwETFgBI2EAPGN2l1lE3jPmub4aGoZ03ukbMGRXbPk1gokMMTDjibkQokNEjiDu6P~1DSKEGYW8OC7uGbvXzasoQMjkE-FhghytLtXDDqC8mp7G4yud7ImXl9C1swiTQF2WYoiz~Gb6l7VXcyRGhTd5YxDzJ2iXAEau8Z3lODU83PEZmsTbAc9jYB-7aBEpV4bFD7G~bmGoLZIG7SsnGn~5Lm2Hc0BQ49xmVLkznanLDDzcF2VEAxn27c0kOhiFTznHHMtICguU3nRjDd3MzC5Ihg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Francisco health staff told the Health Commission on Jan. 6 that highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) is circulating widely among animals but that, to date, the risk to the general public in the city remains low.

Dr. George Hahn, director of the Communicable Disease Section, said the current H5N1 strain reached North America in 2021 and has since caused outbreaks in poultry and, beginning in 2024, in U.S. dairy herds. \"To date, the virus has not been able to spread easily from person to person,\" Hahn said. He added that most confirmed human infections in the United States have been mild, and that antiviral medications appear effective against the strain now circulating.

Why it matters: California has seen widespread animal outbreaks, and state and federal agencies have taken steps such as a state of emergency declaration in California to speed response. San Francisco health officials emphasized local surveillance and planning so the city can respond quickly if the virus changes.

Key points from the presentation

- Animal detections: Hahn said more than 10,000 wild birds and more than 128 million poultry have been affected nationally since late 2021; he reported at least 650 dairy herds in California had been affected since summer 2024, representing about three-quarters of affected U.S. cattle herds.

- Human cases: As of Dec. 31, 2024, Hahn said there were 66 confirmed human cases in the United States and 37 in California; he reported none in San Francisco.

- Transmission and clinical picture: Hahn told commissioners that human infections have primarily occurred in dairy and poultry workers after close contact with infected animals and that conjunctivitis (redness of the eyes) has been a predominant symptom in many cases. He said drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk from infected animals is a potential transmission route but that pasteurized dairy products are safe.

- Surveillance in San Francisco: The Department of Public Health (DPH) is subtyping local influenza specimens at its public health laboratory, sending at least 20 influenza A specimens per week for subtyping from Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, and testing wastewater for influenza subtypes. Hahn said more than 300 local specimens had been subtyped since summer 2024, with none shown to be H5N1.

- Preparedness and planning: DPH has stood up an incident management/planning team using National Incident Management System structures and has drafted mitigation strategies for three scenarios: an isolated human case in San Francisco, sustained person-to-person transmission, and a more severe pandemic-like situation. Hahn said the city plans tabletop exercises to test plans and identify gaps.

Quotes and clarifications

- \"The risk to the general public currently remains low,\" Hahn said, while adding that influenza viruses mutate and require ongoing monitoring. \"It could happen next week. It could happen next month, next year, or never.\"

- Dr. Susan Phillips, the health officer, and other DPH leaders said the department is coordinating clinical, laboratory, environmental health and communications resources and working with hospitals and partners to prepare for multiple scenarios.

Unanswered questions and ongoing work

DPH said it is coordinating with the state agriculture department on monitoring of farm workers and that testing and case-finding practices can vary by farm operation. Officials also noted national constraints on H5N1 vaccines and said federal allocation decisions will affect deployment if vaccination becomes appropriate.

Ending

Officials said San Francisco will continue active surveillance, clinician outreach and planning exercises. Hahn closed by noting that while the current strain has not shown sustained human-to-human spread, the city is preparing for multiple potential scenarios and will update the commission as the situation evolves.","Public health staff briefed the Health Commission on avian influenza A (H5N1) epidemiology, local surveillance and preparedness planning; officials said infections have so far been concentrated among dairy and poultry workers and that the city is preparing scenarios in case of further change.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance — San Francisco Health Commission, Jan. 6, 2025

DPH review finds Vizient group-purchasing membership yielded net rebates and supply continuity

DPH outlines Mental Health SF rollout and reports an estimated 20% drop in overdose deaths through Nov. 2024

DPH confirms Laguna Honda waiver to CMS pending; public commenters seek more transparency on mock surveys and admissions

San Francisco health officials say H5N1 risk to general public remains low but monitoring continues