San Diego County advances safety-net health reforms as measles response continues statewide
San Diego, CA – March 4, 2026 – County supervisors move to modernize a safety-net medical program as measles rises statewide and STI cases dip.
County moves to modernize safety-net medical coverage
San Diego County supervisors voted 4-1 on March 3 to move forward with an overhaul of County Medical Services (CMS), a county program described as a last-resort option for eligible adults who cannot afford insurance and do not qualify for Medi-Cal.
Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Monica Montgomery Steppe asked for an evaluation of CMS and set up an ad-hoc subcommittee to work with community members on possible reforms. The list discussed publicly includes adjusting eligibility standards such as age and income thresholds, eliminating lien requirements and reforming property limits, expanding phone and virtual application options, reviewing covered services, studying how cost sharing affects access, and analyzing the cost of modernizing the program.
County leaders tied the effort to concerns that federal changes could tighten Medicaid rules and reduce funding starting Jan. 1, 2027, increasing pressure on emergency rooms and creating higher uncompensated-care costs for local hospitals. The supervisors said the reform package would return to the board within 60 days after the county adopts its fiscal year 2026-27 budget.
Public health update: reported STIs fell in 2024
County public health officials also reported a second straight year of declines in recorded sexually transmitted infections, based on 2024 data released this month by the California Department of Public Health.
San Diego County reported decreases from 2023 to 2024 in chlamydia (down 7.4%), gonorrhea (down 9.5%) and primary and secondary syphilis (down 35.8%). Congenital syphilis also fell (down 9.5%), though the county reported three stillbirths or neonatal deaths tied to congenital syphilis in 2024.
Outbreak watch: California measles response remains active
Measles investigations in California continue to demand rapid response as outbreaks are tracked in multiple counties, including Riverside. KPBS reported that when a possible case is flagged, local teams work quickly to confirm lab results and identify exposed people, often on a tight timeline of 72 hours or less, then monitor contacts for 21 days.
Nationally, the CDC reported 1,136 confirmed measles cases in 2026 as of Feb. 26, with most cases linked to outbreaks.
Budget decisions shape health services
Separately, San Diego County opened a public input website for the next county budget through March 22. Axios reported the budget process influences funding for mental health and other services that affect health and stability for vulnerable residents. County officials are expected to release a budget proposal May 1 and approve a final budget before July 1.
Sources
https://timesofsandiego.com/health/2026/03/03/san-diego-county-supervisors-vote-overhaul-safety-net-health-program/
https://timesofsandiego.com/health/2026/03/02/number-stis-county-continues-decline/
https://www.kpbs.org/news/health/2026/03/02/measles-is-back-in-california-health-departments-are-fighting-it-with-less
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/
https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/03/02/san-diego-county-budget-2026-public-input-website-march-22-deadline
If you have urgent symptoms, seek medical care. For general questions, talk with a licensed clinician.
