A Sobering Silence
Unusual Health Commission Meeting Raises Laguna Honda Concerns
• • • • • • • • April 2025 • • • • • • • •
On April 7th, the SF Health Commission, despite ongoing requests to do so at every meeting, did not release the Laguna Honda Hospital (LHH) census or tally of applications/admissions and rejections for residency. There was little new information about LHH’s future total bed count since the March Laguna Honda update report.
Healthcare professionals have been on tenterhooks since the refusal of the recent SF Department of Public Health’s (SFDPH) request to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to re-license 120 nursing home beds at LHH. These semi-private single rooms are still in jeopardy. These rooms do not meet 2016 regulations (limiting bathroom sharing to two patient beds instead of three). The newly constructed building opened in 2010, and the three patient rooms are spacious and safe. Apparently, a “strongly worded” appeal letter to CMS is in process. Also, SFDPH is making overtures to the State of California. Thus, those 120 Beds could still be lost for San Franciscans’ use.
Apparently, a “strongly worded” appeal letter to CMS is in process. Also, SFDPH is making overtures to the State of California. Thus, those 120 Beds could still be lost for San Franciscans’ use.”
In this light, we await the monthly (second Monday/April 14) Laguna Honda Joint Conference Committee (of the Health Commission) and encourage you to write in or testify:
Next Laguna Honda Joint Conference Committee (Health Commission Meeting);
4:45 pm | April 14, 2025 | City Hall
The Agenda will be released on April 11th in the afternoon.
For directions on how to let the Health Commission/Health Department know that you care about our public nursing home and do not want to lose those 120 beds, see: How to Talk/Write to SF Health Commission.
Planning ahead: If you or someone you care about may need a Skilled Nursing Facility Rehabilitation or Long-Term Care bed now or in the future and wish to remain in San Francisco, please attend:
Noon-1:30 Weds. April 23, 2025
Join Zoom Meeting: Bring Your Questions - All Are Welcome.
How to Get Admitted to Laguna Honda?
Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehab Center Staff Will
Advise Us & Answer Our Questions on Admissions
QUESTIONS? EMAIL: ageandyouthinaction@gmail.com
If your primary interest is how to get help for yourself or a senior/disabled loved one at home or in a residential (not a nursing facility), the Older Women’s League-San Francisco recorded an excellent lecture. The lecturer makes references to helpful organizations in the East Bay, but the equivalent San Francisco Organizations are included in the “chat” and the website.
Teresa Palmer MD, Family Medicine/Geriatrics
Board member Sf Gray Panthers
April 2025
