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Grossmont Healthcare District Funds $3M for Behavioral Health Programs
Feds Match Provides $6M to Support Sharp Grossmont Hospital
LA MESA, Calif. (Jan. 14, 2020) —- The Grossmont Healthcare District board recently approved $3 million in support of behavioral health programs at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, which will be fully matched by federal funding to provide critical hospital services for the most underserved populations.
The Grossmont Healthcare District, which serves as landlord of Sharp Grossmont Hospital, identified behavioral health as a top health need for East San Diego County based on a regional Community Health Needs Assessment.
Further, psychiatry demand in the region is predicted to grow as much as 12 percent within the next decade.
With a heavier behavioral health caseload comes more Medi-Cal claims, which are not fully reimbursed by the State of California. Of the $33 million reimbursement shortfall last year for Medi-Cal patients, $11 million was tied to behavioral health services and programs, according to the Sharp Grossmont Hospital.
“The Grossmont Healthcare District supports behavioral health care and believes it’s critically important that we assist Sharp Grossmont Hospital in providing funding to treat all patients in need of care,” said GHD Board President Randy Lenac. “Our local funds being doubled by the federal government is of significant benefit to local taxpayers in providing this care.”
The District’s $3 million in local dollars and additional $3 million in federal support is administered by the State of California through an Inter-Government Transfer program, which supports Medi-Cal reimbursement gaps, providing a full $6 million toward the most critical services provided by Sharp Grossmont Hospital.
“This funding shows significant support for our innovative behavioral health services in East County,” wrote Hospital CEO Scott Evans.
Sharp Grossmont Hospital patient care programs include the Intensive Outpatient Program and Electroconvulsive Therapy, as well as behavioral health support in the emergency department.
About Grossmont Healthcare District
The Grossmont Healthcare District is a public agency that supports health-related community programs and services in East County. The District formed in 1952 to build and operate Grossmont Hospital. It serves as landlord of Sharp Grossmont Hospital and owns the property and buildings on behalf of East County taxpayers. The district is governed by a five-member board of directors who represent more than 500,000 people residing within 750 square miles.
CONTACT:
Erica Salcuni
Grossmont Healthcare District
esalcuni@grossmonthealthcare.org
Phone: (619) 825-5017
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