Category: Announcements

Announcements, COVID-19 | February 20, 2021

Governor Newsom Announces Vaccine Prioritization for Education Personnel, Release of Updated Youth Sports Guidance

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced two significant COVID-19 developments related to vaccine prioritization for education workers and the release of updated youth sports guidance. Education Personnel to be Prioritized for Vaccine Under the Governor’s announcements today, staff working in-person in public schools or childcare settings must be prioritized for vaccines statewide beginning March 1, 2021….

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Announcements | February 20, 2021

DHCS Announces Medi-Cal Rx Delay

This week, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced it is delaying the planned go-live implementation date of April 1, 2021, for Medi-Cal Rx due to the need to review new conflict avoidance protocols submitted by the project’s contracted vendor, Magellan Health. Recall, the Medi-Cal Rx initiative seeks to transition all Medi-Cal pharmacy…

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Announcements, Federal | February 20, 2021

Biden Nominates Brooks-LaSure as CMS Administrator

Today, President Joseph R. Biden announced his nomination of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure as the Administrator of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Brooks-LaSure is currently the Managing Director at Manatt. She is a former policy official who played a key role in the development and implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and…

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Announcements, Webinars | February 12, 2021

CDA to Host March 3 Webinar on Equity in Aging

The California Department of Aging (CDA) will again host a webinar as part of its multi-part series on “Equity in Aging.” The next webinar will occur on Wednesday, March 3 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am and is entitled, “Culturally Informed Policy & Programs: With and For Asian & Pacific Islander Older Adults.” The webinar…

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Announcements, COVID-19 | February 6, 2021

State Public Health Officer Revokes Hospital Surge Order

This afternoon, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón revoked the state’s Hospital Surge Order which was issued on January 5, 2021, amid the urgent statewide crisis related to ICU capacity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The order was intended to spread the COVID-19 burden across hospitals and ensure all patients received…

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Announcements, COVID-19 | February 6, 2021

CDPH Issues Letter to COVID-19 Vaccine Providers

CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón on Wednesday issued a letter to all COVID-19 vaccine providers statewide clarifying vaccine guidance and urging providers to distribute doses as quickly as possible. The letter directs providers to manage vaccine inventory normally and report shots administered and inventory daily. CDPH additionally indicates the state…

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Announcements, COVID-19 | February 6, 2021

CalVax to Become myCAvax

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), as part of its efforts to simplify and streamline the vaccine management process, has announced its recently launched CalVax Provider system will now become myCAvax. According to the Newsom Administration, the name change will reduce confusion with other systems and will have a similar look to California’s vaccine…

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Announcements, COVID-19 | February 6, 2021

State Awards $17.3 Million in Grants to CBOs to Support COVID-19 Outreach

This week, the Center at Sierra Health Foundation, in partnership with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA), today announced awarding more than $17.3 million in grants to 110 community-based organizations (CBOs) statewide to support community engagement, provide public health education, and encourage COVID-19 vaccination. Organizations received…

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Announcements | February 6, 2021

DHCS Issues Guidance for Counties Interested in Changing Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Models

This week, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released instructions for counties interested in changing Medi-Cal Managed Care (MCMC) models. In 2021, DHCS will begin a statewide procurement process for commercial MCMC plans. Multiple counties have expressed interest in transitioning to a MCMC model that includes a local plan. If a county transitions…

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