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...
Medi-Cal to cover Indigenous traditional care in Silicon Valley
Starting next year, Medi-Cal will cover traditional healing practices for Native Americans seeking treatment for substance use. Medi-Cal will expand its coverage to services provided by Native American traditional healers, including herbal medicine, music therapy and spiritual interventions like rituals. It will also cover services provided by natural helpers, including counseling and trauma support. A...
San Jose officials greenlight hospital expansion
No one at the packed San Jose City Council meeting wanted the West Valley hospital to close or miss its seismic retrofit deadline, but numerous residents wanted city officials to hear their concerns about the company that owns the hospital. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve the environmental impact report...
Santa Clara County launches TRUST direct crisis hotline
After some trial and error, Santa Clara County just made it easier to request a non-police response for someone in mental health crisis. Officials have rolled out a direct, 24/7 hotline to reach the Trusted Response Urgent Support Team (TRUST), a mental health crisis team that sends out vans across the county to de-escalate emergencies...