Raymond Tsai, MD MS

The California Maternal Health Blueprint, recently released by the Office of the California Surgeon General, outlines the urgent need to address pregnancy-related deaths, which disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic individuals. While the state is taking steps to reduce these disparities, #digitalhealth tools such as telehealth and remote monitoring offer additional avenues to improve access to care and enhance #maternalhealth outcomes. Read the Blueprint here: https://lnkd.in/gnnGy4MH #MaternalHealth #HealthEquity #DigitalHealth #Telehealth #CaliforniaHealth #BlackMaternalHealth #HealthcareInnovation #RemoteMonitoring #MaternalMortality #HealthcareAccess #PublicHealth #HealthTech #CaliforniaBlueprint #PregnancyCare

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Thanks to funding from the California Health Care Foundation, two new programs are being developed to expose possibilities and opportunities for applicants to pharmacy school in California’s central San Joaquin Valley. The University of California, Merced - University of California, San Francisco BS to PharmD Program is designed to remove structural barriers with an expedited program for UC Merced students, while the PharmTech-to-PharmD program takes a proactive step toward upskilling pharmacy technicians. Both programs aim to reduce the health care disparities of pharmacy deserts by cultivating interest in—and opening multiple pathways for—pharmacy careers among underserved communities. https://lnkd.in/gZW6SP5n

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MEDICAL DEBT: At a recent Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors - LACountyBOS meeting, MLKCH was called out as an example of best practices in how we approach the thorny issue of #medicaldebt for our vulnerable and often low-income #patients. Hospitals in #California are supposed to provide charity care but often patients do not know about how to apply for #assistance paying their medical bills or get lost in the process. MLKCH goes the extra mile, proactively working with the patient to determine eligibility and assisting them in the application process. “Writing off #debt incurs a loss for our hospital,” said MLKCH CEO Dr. Elaine Batchlor, who was asked to #testify at the meeting. “But it’s the right thing to do for our patients.” The meeting was called to consider #legislation that would require #hospitals to report on their #medical debt practices, specifically how many patients are sent to collections who might qualify for debt relief. A story in the Los Angeles Times notes that many think the legislation is a step in the right direction towards understanding and alleviating LA County’s approximately $2.9 billion in medical debt. But as Dr. B pointed out at the meeting, the ultimate problem is unaffordable #healthinsurance plans. “The root cause of medical debt is the high cost of #healthcare and the failure of health #insurance to cover those costs,” Dr. B said at the hearing. To solve the problem, she said, “we will ultimately need to address these root causes.” Read the LA Time story: https://lnkd.in/gjCHDA4E

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Hospital Presumptive Eligibility (HPE) is a crucial step in the process of patients gaining access to Medi-Cal if they haven't obtained it yet and are in an unexpected hospitalization or Emergency Department visit. This insightful study demonstrates gaps that currently exist and solutions to improve the process of patients gaining access to ongoing Medi-Cal coverage.

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🌸 Celebrate and Reflect on AANHPI Contributions and Health Equity 🌸 This month, the California Association of Healthcare Leaders Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee proudly honors the rich cultural and historical contributions of generations of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) to the United States. As healthcare leaders, it is crucial to reflect on the diverse health equity needs and challenges faced by these communities, highlighted by their demographics and healthcare disparities, which were particularly evident in their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. 📚 Read the full article written by Sumedha Gulati, MPH, MBA (linked below) to delve deeper into these insights and learn how healthcare leaders can: 1. Address hidden health disparities through data disaggregation. 2. Engage and collaborate with AANHPI communities for better healthcare outcomes. 3. Develop culturally and linguistically appropriate services to meet the unique needs of AANHPI populations. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g-JYmEY9 Let’s work together to promote health equity and celebrate the contributions of AANHPI communities. #HealthcareLeadership #AANHPI #HealthEquity #CulturalDiversity #COVID19

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