Collaborative leadership in San Diego County to address fragile healthcare safety net: Planning, Partnerships, and Action

Much has been written about the major health crisis facing many communities across America that include the growing number of uninsured, the increasing demand for services on healthcare safety net providers, and contrained resources available to serve the most vulnerable and needy populations. The County of San Diego launched a major initiative in response to these conditions in partnership with major stakeholders, constituents, and a large philanthropic foundation. Through this collaborative partnership, a major independent study was undertaken to assess the current demand and capacity of the healthcare safety net as well as forecast the future challenges for the county as well as for specific regions. Innovative tools, methods, and strategies were incorporated to provide one of the most comprehensive, long-term assessments ever conducted at a local level. Through this process and after extensive stakeholder involvement, a series of recommendations on ways to strengthen the safety net were identified and outlined. Subsequently, tangible actions were developed to improve access for the uninsured, enhance system performance across the continuum of care, and implement best practices/strategies. This session will elaborate on this process, the major findings, and the significant accomplishments achieved to date through this collaborative partnership.