The Peninsula Health Care District wants to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. We are excited to be part of a community that works together to make each New Year as healthy as possible.
We recognize that many of us are struggling with issues that detract from our health. Whether it be lack of access to healthcare, needed social services or fundamental necessities such as food, shelter or companionship, the Peninsula Health Care District exists to help address those needs. We do that by providing programs such as Sonrisas Dental Health, the PHCD Health & Fitness Center, The Trousdale assisted living/memory community, supporting County Health and County Office of Education initiatives, and serving more than fifty community non-profit service providers through our annual community grants program and special initiative funding projects.
The holiday season is one of gratitude for what we have and our ability to share with those who don't. It is also a time to thank all who contribute to the District’s impact. That includes our staff, Board, taxpayers, and our community service partners. We are grateful to all for what was achieved this past year to help transform lives and look forward to the opportunities in the New Year to continue that work. In partnership, we work together to increase the overall health of our community.
Lawrence W. Cappel, PhD, Board Chair
The gift of giving
this holiday season!
PHCD learned about RIP Medical Debt Relief [RIPMD] a couple years ago and took the opportunity to introduce this non-profit organization to local hospital systems. San Mateo Medical Center’s CFO Dave McGrew was interested, vetted the program, and received the Board of Supervisor’s approval to enter into an agreement with RIPMD to relieve the healthcare debt for eligible County patients treated at SMMC.
RIPMD is a nonprofit, founded in 2014, funded by foundations, donors, and healthcare entities from around the nation and approved by the IRS and CMS to buy and relieve healthcare debt for low-income patients with medical debt older than 4 years, representing 5% or more of their household income, and whose liabilities exceed their total assets.
SMMC’s patient data was securely provided to and screened by RIPMD to determine patient accounts eligible for relief. Screening identified 72,400 SMMC patient accounts with debt totaling over $130 million; 14,434 of those patients with debt totaling over $29M are PHCD residents. At its December 8th meeting, the PHCD Board of Directors approved $43,800 to cover RIPMD’s carrying out the purchasing of the debt, notification to the residents that their debt was forgiven, and that their credit record will be purged of that medical debt.
“Medical debt can cause generational financial and emotional distress and patient distrust in health care services, often causing individuals to avoid seeking needed services to avoid incurring additional debt. We appreciate RIPMD as a critical resource and thank the Board of Supervisors and CFO McGrew for joining with us to help thousands of residents in San Mateo County.” - Lawrence Cappel, Ph.D - PHCD Board Chair
At the December 8th Board meeting, her fellow Directors expressed appreciation for Director Galligan's commitment to service for the past 16 years. In addition to resolutions of recognition from Sen. Becker, Councilmember Mullen, and the Board of Supervisors, the PHCD team created a tribute and thank you video, and the Board memorialized her legacy of leadership over the PHCD Community Health Investment Committee by naming the District’s annual healthcare workforce development fund The Helen Galligan Future Healthcare Workforce Fund. THANK YOU HELEN! YOU WILL BE MISSED.
We welcome
Henry Sanchez, M.D.
to our Board of Directors
Henry Sanchez, M.D., was sworn onto the Peninsula Health Care District (PHCD) Board of Directors on December 8, 2022. He has served on the PHCD Community Health Investment Committee since 2015 and previously served from 2009-2022 as an elected San Bruno Park School District Trustee.
Dr. Sanchez is a pathologist and professor at the University of California, San Francisco. He has been a dedicated medical educator and researcher for over 40 years, teaching, developing curriculum, mentoring, and creating assessments for medical, dental, physical therapy, and podiatric medical students. His interests include autopsy pathology, collaborative research, and public service.
We look forward to his partnership and contributions to PHCD as a board member.
Check in on yourself and
loved ones during the holidays
The holidays can bring emotional challenges to light and cause distress during what should be a time of happiness with family and friends. Take care of your mental health during the holiday season.
COVID-19 Tips for safe holiday gatherings
Save the Date for our next vaccination clinic on
Saturday, January 14th from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Stay tuned for more details.
Public Meetings
Strategic Direction/Finance Committee Meeting, Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at 5:00 pm
Board of Directors Open Session Meeting,Thursday, January 26, 2023, 6:30 pm
