REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 4, 2021
FROM
WILLIAM L. GILBERT, Director, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
SUBJECT
Title v
Grant Application to the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development for the Song-Brown Primary Care 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 for the Song-Brown Primary Care Residency Program Grant, in the amount of $1,775,000, for the grant performance period of June 30, 2022, through August 31, 2025.
2. Authorize the Director of Arrowhead Regional Medical Center or Designee to execute and electronically transmit the Grant Application, including any subsequent non-substantive amendments, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director of Arrowhead Regional Medical Center or 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
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 Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (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
Pursuant to the Song-Brown Health Care Workforce Training Act (Song-Brown Act), Health & Safety Code Sections 128200, et. seq., the California Healthcare Workforce Policy Commission (Commission) will consider applications to support the training of primary care physicians. After review of the applications, the Commission makes recommendations for grant awards to the Director of the OSHPD.
OSHPD works to increase and diversify California’s healthcare workforce through the Healthcare Workforce Development Division (HWDD). The Song-Brown Program funds institutions that train primary care health professionals to provide health care in California’s medically underserved areas. Competitive proposals demonstrate a commitment to Song-Brown goals and demonstrated success in meeting the three statutory priorities:
• Attracting and admitting underrepresented minorities and those from underserved communities
• Training Physician Residents in underserved areas
• Placing graduates in underserved areas
Proposed funding will help fund resident salaries, faculty development, resident conference travel, and other direct educational costs for operating the training program. ARMC is asking the Board of Supervisors (Board) to approve the submission of applications for its Family Medicine and Internal Medicine Residency Training Programs to OSHPD.
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:
Insurance
Minimum insurance coverage type and limits are not specified.
• 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.
• 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.
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.
• The County’s standard contract does not include any indemnification or defense by the County.
• 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 Director of ARMC or 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 the Board at a later date to accept any 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, 387-5465) on March 30, 2021; ARMC Finance (Chen Wu, Finance Budget Officer, 580-3165) on March 31, 2021; Finance (Yael Verduzco, Administrative Analyst, 387-5285) on April 1, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on April 4, 2021.