REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 23, 2023
FROM
WILLIAM L. GILBERT, Director, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
SUBJECT
Title
Purchase Order with the California Department of Public Health for Newborn Screening Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a Purchase Order to the California Department of Public Health for Newborn Screening Services, in the not-to-exceed amount of $2,500,000, for the three-year period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026.
(Presenter: William L. Gilbert, Director, 580-6150)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
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 this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The cost of $2,500,000 is funded by State Medi-Cal, Federal Medicare, private insurances, and other departmental revenue. Newborn screening is mandated by the State of California and the cost to perform these services is charged according to the fee schedule set by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Funding sources may change in the future pending any legislative activity related to the repeal and/or replacement of the Affordable Care Act. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) 2023-24 recommended budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The recommended Purchase Order with CDPH will allow ARMC to remain in compliance with the State of California mandate for infant screening. ARMC is required to collect blood samples and submit them to CDPH’s Genetic Disease Branch for screening in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Sections 124977 and 125000 et seq. Since 1996, CDPH has mandated California hospitals conduct prenatal and newborn screenings for many treatable genetic or congenital disorders. The newborn screening program provides early diagnosis of genetic disorders with the goal of facilitating care for prenatal and newborn babies and improving their quality of life.
ARMC recommends approval of the Purchase Order as it provides for the safety, health and social service needs of County residents by helping to ensure early detection of treatable genetic or congenital disorders, which can lead to early treatment and improved outcomes for newborns.
PROCUREMENT
The Purchasing Department supports the non-competitive procurement as CDPH mandates the service, and hospitals are required to procure the service from CDPH.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Charles Phan, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 30, 2023; Purchasing (Ariel Gill, Buyer III, 777-0722) on April 12, 2023; ARMC Finance (Chen Wu, Finance and Budget Officer, 580-3165) on May 1, 2023; Finance (Jenny Yang, Administrative Analyst, 387-4884) on May 2, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on May 4, 2023.