LA County Board

17. Ensuring Measure B Funds Are Put to their Highest and Best Use Recommendation as submitted by Supervisor Mitchell: Direct the Chief Executive Officer, in consultation with the Director of the Department of Health Services, the Director of the Department of Public Health and the Emergency Medical Services Agency, the Fire Chief, the Hospital Association of Southern California (including representatives from both trauma centers and emergency hospitals with high Medicaid volumes), and other relevant provider stakeholders to retain a consultant to study the impacts of the County’s current allocation of Measure B funds to non-County trauma hospitals to ensure that future Measure B resources are allocated in a manner that maximizes public benefit, including any potential federal fund matching opportunities, strengthens both the regional trauma and emergency services system, and aligns with the intent of the voters. At a minimum, the study should: Prioritize preserving a financially stable, accessible, and sustainable regional trauma and emergency services system; Identify strategies that maximize the public benefit of Measure B investments while strengthening trauma and emergency care for vulnerable populations; Consider financial vulnerabilities, including disproportionate impacts of H.R.1, and impacts on hospitals with high Medicaid payer mixes and uninsured volumes; Consider the fiscal health of both each individual eligible hospital and the multi-hospital system that it is part of (including cash reserves, days of cash on hand, unrestricted net assets, operating margin, and reimbursed trauma care, including through private insurance, etc.) when distributing taxpayer dollars; Align investments to community need and to better serve the most vulnerable populations, including, but not limited to, populations impacted by disproportionate disease burdens or extreme environmental hazards; and Evaluate how any recommended changes to Measure B allocations could be implemented in a manner that maintains the integrity of the trauma care system, including consideration of any phased implementation, transition periods, or other mitigation strategies where appropriate. Direct the Chief Executive Officer and consulting departments to report back in 180 days with recommendations to inform the prospective ongoing non-County Measure B allocation formula. (26-4243) Motion by Supervisor Mitchell (Updates Following Cluster) ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 18 - 61 Chief Executive Office