The Orange County Board of Supervisors took straw votes on County Budget items last week, approving, on a 3-2 vote, $2 million in funding for the MSI Hospital Pool and $275,000 for 5150 inpatient treatment beds. These amounts are over and above the Health Care Agency’s original requests and will prevent cuts in both programs. County data indicates hospitals are projected to lose $100 million in the MSI program this year. The $2 million in additional funding will be matched dollar-for-dollar in the Low Income Health Program, resulting in a total of $4 million in additional funding for hospitals.

Supervisor Bill Campbell proposed the additional funding.  His motion for support directs these MSI funds to the MSI Hospital Pool, and ensures there will be no cuts in the 5150 program. The vote is expected to be ratified when the Board approves the County Budget on June 26.

MSI Committee Chair Alan Smith (Prime Healthcare) joined Julie Puentes, HASC Orange County vice president, to testify at the meeting. HASC also thanks Chris Leo (St. Joseph Health System), Don Lorack (Anaheim Regional Medical Center), and Ken Westbrook, Lloyd Wilensky and Dan Brothman (Integrated Healthcare Holdings, Inc.); and Debbie Walsh (Fountain Valley Regional) for their additional support on these issues.