County Supes May Postpone Conservatorship Expansion
Article by Lisa Halverstadt | Read full article at Voice of San Diego
San Diego County Board Chairwoman Nora Vargas is asking fellow supervisors to vote next week to postpone implementation of state legislation expanding eligibility for conservatorships.
The state legislation that would otherwise take effect Jan. 1 makes people struggling with severe addiction eligible for conservatorships and is expected to put more pressure on a treatment system now often unable to deliver immediate voluntary care.
At least one of Vargas’ county colleagues announced Wednesday she isn’t on board with the proposed postponement. Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer issued a statement urging the county to allow the expansion to take effect in January and calling for other amendments including evaluation of early data to try to improve access to long-term treatment.
“I recognize the lead time on SB 43 ramp-up for the County, hospital partners, services providers and city partners is short, but we all should be moving as fast as possible to help the people we serve,” Lawson-Remer wrote. “I know if we move fast there will be challenges and gaps to overcome, but our response to public health emergencies like the COVID-19 emergency showed our region is capable and resilient.”