REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 2, 2020
FROM
WILLIAM L. GILBERT, Director, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Application to the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development for a Song-Brown Residency Program Grant
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the submission of a grant application to the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) for the Song-Brown Residency Program Grant, in the amount of $1,625,000 to fund a total of 10 residency positions in Family Medicine and in Internal Medicine at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, for the grant performance period of June 30, 2021, through August 31, 2024.
2. Delegate authority to the Hospital Director or his Designee to execute and electronically transmit the Grant Application, including any subsequent non-substantive amendments, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Hospital Director or his Designee to transmit the Grant Application, and all supporting documents, to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days after transmission of the grant application.
(Presenter: William L. Gilbert, Director, 580-6150)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommendations will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The OSHPD does not require a match from the County to receive an award under the Song-Brown Residency Program Grant. If the funds are awarded by the OSHPD, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) will return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for award acceptance and any necessary budget adjustments.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The OSHPD works to increase and diversify California’s healthcare workforce through its Healthcare Workforce Development Division. The Song-Brown Program aims to increase the number of students and Physician Residents receiving quality primary care education and training in areas of unmet need throughout California through the funding of grants to institutions that train primary care health professionals to provide health care services in California’s medically underserved areas. In the grant awarding process, OSHPD seek proposals that demonstrate a commitment to the Song-Brown Health Care Work’s goals and demonstrated success in meeting three priorities:
• Attracting and admitting underrepresented minorities and those from underserved communities
• Training Physician Residents in underserved areas
• Placing graduates in underserved areas
The Board’s approval of the grant application submission to the OSHPD for the Song-Brown Primary Care Residency Grant Program will provide funding to support the education and training of primary care physicians in medically under-served communities. Through this application, ARMC is requesting a one-time $1,625,000 grant award to be used to fund five residency positions in Family Medicine and in Internal Medicine through the Existing and Expansion Slots funding category of the Song-Brown Primary Care Residencies Grant Program. Proposed funding will help expand ARMC’s residency program by providing for resident physician salaries, faculty development, resident conference travel, and other direct educational costs for operating the residency training program at ARMC. The grant solicitation was released on April 30, 2020, and the application is due to OSHPD June 2, 2020.
The Grant Application requires Board approval under County Policy No. 05-13 as the application is binding on the County and by applying, the County agrees to certain grant terms as part of the application and any subsequent award. Those terms include non-standard County contract terms, including the following:
1. Insurance: Minimum insurance coverage type and limits are not specified.
a. The County’s standard contract has an extensive list of insurance requirements relating to various insurance coverage and limits, and requires contractors to add the County as an insured and waive subrogation rights.
b. Potential Impact: The terms and conditions of any award issued do not include any insurance requirements. This means the County has no assurance that the State will have the financial support of an insurance company for any claims that may arise under any subsequent award Agreement, which could result in the County bearing financial responsibility if the State does not, or is unable to, fulfill its obligations. Additionally, to the extent the State has the proper insurance coverage, the policy will not provide direct coverage to the County as a named insured.
2. Indemnification: The County is required to indemnify, defend, and save harmless the State, its officers, agents, and employees from any claims arising out of the County’s performance under any award Agreement. There is no reciprocal indemnification requirement on the OSHPD or the State of California.
a. The County’s standard contract does not include any indemnification or defense by the County.
b. Potential Impact: The County would be responsible to defend and reimburse the State for the County’s acts or omissions under certain circumstances for costs, expenses, and damages, which could exceed the total amount the State awards the County under this grant program.
Approval of Recommendation No. 2 would authorize the ARMC Hospital Director (or his designee) to electronically sign and submit the Grant Application, on behalf of the County, to the OSHPD as well as any non-substantive amendments necessary, subject to County Counsel review. ARMC will seek the approval of a Board Resolution at a later date to accept an award under this program in accordance with County Policy 05-13 and as required by the OSHPD.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Charles Phan, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5289) on May 21, 2020; Finance (Yael Verduzco, Administrative Analyst, 387-5285) on May 26, 2020; and County Finance (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on May 27, 2020.