Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Social Safety Net and Behavioral Health Systems Transformation

The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Social Safety Net and Behavioral Health Systems Transformation of San Diego County met on October 23, 2026, to review regional impacts of HR1 and efforts to keep residents connected to health coverage and food assistance. County staff and community partners described progress on benefits-renewal outreach and data sharing: the county is working through MOAs and data-use agreements with 20 high-volume CBOs, with a goal of completing signatures within 30 days, so partners can access clients’ medical renewal and recertification dates. Partners reported declining enrollment and rising need, including July CalFresh enrollment 9% below the prior year and Medical enrollment 11% lower; county outreach had reduced the reported number of people losing CalFresh for unmet work requirements from about 2,200 to 1,900. Participants also discussed increased emergency-department demand and the need to track uninsured patients and coverage trends over time.

Funding requests were presented, but no votes or spending approvals were reported. Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest requested $2 million over two years ($1 million annually) to sustain preventive care for residents affected by coverage disruptions. Philanthropic partners reported $6.5 million committed toward Covered California premium subsidies and identified a potential $10 million county contribution to extend assistance to eligible residents with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level; the estimated total cost for that group is $16.5 million. Feeding San Diego and the San Diego Food Bank also sought additional county support for food purchases and nonprofit-partner capacity, including transportation, storage, refrigeration, and distribution, without specifying an amount in the transcript. The subcommittee emphasized continued coordination, proactive enrollment outreach, and follow-up on these proposals; none was approved during the meeting.