San Francisco health watch: SFUSD vaccine compliance funding penalty, Covered California enrollment, UCSF imaging upgrades, and RESET Center plan
San Francisco, CA – March 3, 2026 – SFUSD faced a state funding penalty tied to vaccine compliance as UCSF, Covered CA and the city announced new health moves.
SFUSD penalized over vaccination record compliance
San Francisco Unified School District was among dozens of California districts that lost average daily attendance funding after state audits found some schools could not verify they were meeting student immunization requirements, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report based on data obtained by EdSource from the State Controller’s Office. The Chronicle reported SFUSD was penalized $315,775 across 2023 and 2024, representing 26 days of attendance funding.
The report said California law requires students to be immunized against 10 communicable diseases, with proof required at key enrollment points, and that districts found out of compliance must develop corrective action plans. SFUSD told the Chronicle it has changed parts of its enrollment process to collect immunization records and tuberculosis clearances in advance so health staff can review documents earlier.
The Chronicle noted measles activity has been rising, with 19 cases reported in California so far in 2026, following 25 cases in 2025.
Covered California closes 2026 open enrollment
Covered California said open enrollment for 2026 coverage ended with 1,927,371 people statewide signing up for or renewing marketplace plans. The agency reported 235,055 new plan selections and nearly 1.7 million renewals, and said enrollment remained near record highs even as enhanced federal premium tax credits expired.
Covered California also reported that about 20% of its enrollees live in the Greater Bay Area. The agency said people who missed the open-enrollment window may still qualify for special enrollment after certain life events.
UCSF Health and GE HealthCare announce imaging alliance
UCSF said it has entered a 10-year Care Alliance with GE HealthCare aimed at modernizing imaging across UCSF Health sites. UCSF said the collaboration will focus on advanced imaging capabilities, remote scanning support, magnetic resonance performance, and workforce development, including radiologic technologist education.
City advances performance-based contract for RESET sobering center
San Francisco plans to open the RESET Center, a 25-bed facility at 444 Sixth St. designed as a police drop-off location for people arrested for public drug use as an alternative to county jail, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The Chronicle said the city approved a 26-month contract with Connections Health Solutions that ties payment to performance metrics such as officer drop-off time and the share of clients linked to recovery services at discharge, with an expected April opening.
Sources
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/california-schools-vaccine-funding-21946118.php
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.ucsf.edu/news/2026/02/431521/ge-healthcare-and-ucsf-health-announce-10-year-care-alliance
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/sf-drug-sobering-center-will-get-paid-on-results-21361378.php
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