San Diego health update: 2026 Covered California enrollment, beach water postings, and hospital workforce news
San Diego, CA – March 3, 2026 – Covered California reports 148,620 local enrollees for 2026 as subsidies shift; beach water alerts updated now.
Health insurance: Covered California closes 2026 open enrollment
Covered California reported that 1,927,371 people statewide selected or renewed marketplace coverage for 2026 at the end of open enrollment. In its regional breakdown, Covered California reported 148,620 people enrolled in coverage in San Diego.
The marketplace also said this year’s open enrollment occurred as enhanced federal affordability assistance expired. Covered California said California funded $190 million in state tax credits for 2026 for eligible lower-income enrollees, aimed at helping keep monthly premiums consistent with 2025 levels for certain households. Covered California also reported that new enrollments were down from last year while renewals remained strong, and noted that some consumers shifted to lower-tier plans.
Covered California said people who missed open enrollment may still be able to enroll through special enrollment if they have a qualifying life event.
Hospital and healthcare workforce: union announces rally tied to staffing and organizing dispute
In a Feb. 27 press release, SEIU-UHW said frontline workers from Rady Children’s Hospital planned a rally outside the hospital’s annual charity ball at the Hotel del Coronado on Feb. 28. The union said workers are calling on hospital leadership to stop blocking their union effort and to bargain, citing concerns that workers describe as chronic understaffing, low pay and high turnover.
The release said more than 1,500 Rady workers voted to form a union earlier this year and that hospital executives filed objections related to the process.
Public health: beach and bay water-quality postings updated
San Diego County’s Beach and Bay Water Quality program website showed updated postings as of March 2, listing 6 advisories and 4 closures (and 0 warnings) across monitored locations. The county’s public dashboard is updated regularly and is used to post current water-contact advisories and closures when bacteria levels exceed health standards.
County services: public input opens for budget priorities that include behavioral health
San Diego County launched a public input website for the upcoming county budget, with the feedback window open through March 22, according to Axios San Diego. The Axios report noted the county budget influences resources for areas including mental health and homelessness services, and that county officials plan to release a budget proposal on May 1 ahead of final approval before July 1.
Sources
https://www.coveredca.com/newsroom/news-releases/2026/02/26/as-enhanced-federal-subsidies-expire-covered-california-ends-open-enrollment-with-state-subsidies-keeping-renewals-steady-for-now-and-new-signups-down/
https://www.sdbeachinfo.com/
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.
