San Diego County Supervisors OK Safety Net Program For Health, Food Access – Patch

San Diego County Supervisors OK Safety Net Program For Health, Food Access  Patch

The program would provide free services for local residents who could soon lose their access to essential health, food and social services. SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved a one-year pilot program to assist residents at risk of losing benefits due to recent federal budget cuts. The "Safety Net Bridge Program" proposed by Vice Chair Monica Montgomery Steppe would provide free services for local residents who could soon lose their access to essential health, food and social services. According to a statement from Montgomery Steppe's office, the pilot will serve county residents 19-64 years old who qualify for Medi-Cal, but may temporarily lose coverage because of new federal requirements.

"The Safety Net Bridge Program is a strategy to protect our most vulnerable residents by keeping a lifeline of services open, no matter what happens in Washington," Montgomery Steppe said in a statement. "We have been intentional in crafting this multi-part program. The medical component is structured not just to pay for primary care visits when someone has a coverage gap, but to also actively assist people impacted by (House Resolution 1) in getting back onto Medi-Cal." In early July 2025, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and Senate passed H.R. 1 that included cuts and new requirements affecting numerous programs including Medicaid, on