San Jose said no to letting its firefighters participate in a state-funded cancer prevention and research program — until pressure forced the city to reverse course. Thirteen state legislators advocated for San Jose firefighters in a Feb. 14 letter to participate in the program that wouldn’t cost the city a dime. San Jose was awarded...
Santa Clara County hospitals threatened by Medi-Cal cuts
When it comes to Northern California’s largest public hospital system, Santa Clara County leaders fear they’re building a sandcastle at low tide. The county’s largest stream of federal money and funding source for its public hospitals will be washed away if Congress follows through on its proposed $880 billion in spending cuts to Medicaid, known...
Sunnyvale searches for solution to paramedic shortage
Sunnyvale public safety officers are optimistic a new study will find solutions to the city’s lack of paramedics. The Sunnyvale City Council voted unanimously earlier this month to study expanding the city’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) to include city-operated paramedic services. The Sunnyvale Public Safety Officers Association raised the alarm last year about the...
San Jose residents unaware of non-police crisis services
San Jose officials are voicing concern about how to keep paying for a non-police response program for mental health emergencies. Advocates doubt the city is even trying to make it work. It’s been nearly three months since the city committed to funding 40 more hours for a mobile mental health crisis team under Santa Clara...
Santa Clara County wants more family home care visits
Santa Clara County may be able to serve more vulnerable children through home visits by tapping into new Medi-Cal funding. The state revamped Medi-Cal in 2022 to establish more coordinated, holistic care through an initiative called California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) led by the Department of Health Care Services. As a result, providers can...
Santa Clara County aims to restore East San Jose hospital services
Santa Clara County officials have finalized their $150 million purchase of Regional Medical Center from private corporation HCA Healthcare, which depleted the hospital’s services over the years. But the hard work to make it whole again is just beginning. County officials are racing against the clock to restore the gutted trauma care services by April...
Silicon Valley health care provider plans two medical campuses
One of Northern California’s largest health care providers has plans to build two medical campuses, as patient overflow is straining Silicon Valley emergency rooms with long wait times and life-threatening delays. Sutter Health is investing $800 million to renovate two large, vacant offices in Santa Clara into non-hospital, outpatient rooms for a range of medical...
San Jose demand for senior meals underestimated cost
San Jose temporarily limited meals for older adults at city community centers in early December amid a budget shortfall — a move that left recipients flustered. The San Jose Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services is responsible for administering meals through the Senior Nutrition Program at 13 community centers across the city. Its meals...
DA: Santa Clara County hospitals illegally dump medical waste
Human flesh and blood. Confidential patient information. Fentanyl. Santa Clara County’s top prosecutor alleges his investigators found these items and more after a covert, yearlong investigation into illegal dumping by Valley Medical Center, St. Louise and O’Connor hospitals. Investigators in hazmat suits conducted a series of unannounced waste inspections of garbage compactors starting in November...
Santa Clara County CARE program begins mental health treatment
As the sweeping promises of a new behavioral health court take shape slower than expected across California, Santa Clara County is one of the last to roll it out. A new civil court process known as the CARE Program — or CARE Court — allows anyone from a family member to a first responder to...