San Francisco supervisors tackle decreasing subacute care options at CPMC

The San Francisco County government meeting on July 4, 2025, focused on the critical issue of subacute care beds in the city, highlighting significant concerns from healthcare professionals and community advocates regarding the lack of available resources for patients requiring this level of care.

Dr. Theresa Palmer, a local geriatrician, expressed frustration over the insufficient contribution from major healthcare entities like UCSF and CPMC towards maintaining subacute beds in San Francisco. She noted a drastic reduction in available beds at CPMC, which has fallen from 17 to just 7, attributing this decline to profit-driven decisions that prioritize short-stay acute care over the needs of local patients. Dr. Palmer warned that the transfer of patients to facilities outside the county has led to increased mortality rates due to "transfer trauma."

Vivian Imperiali, president of the Mental Health Association of San Francisco, shared a personal account of a friend who was relocated to a facility far from home, resulting in feelings of isolation and inadequate care. She emphasized the need for local oversight to ensure that patients receive proper support and care within the city.

Michael Lyon from Senior Disability Action criticized CPMC's decision to phase out subacute care, arguing that it jeopardizes the health and safety of critically ill patients who are being sent to facilities with lower standards of care. He called for action against what he described as profit-driven motives that compromise patient welfare.

Community member Gloria Rivera Simpson echoed these sentiments, sharing her concerns about patients being transferred out of the city and the risks associated with delayed emergency care in freestanding facilities. She urged local leaders to continue advocating for the retention of subacute care within San Francisco.

The meeting also addressed the potential for expanding subacute care at Seton Hospital, with Suzanne Sapp from the National Union of Health Care Workers highlighting the need for improved working conditions and accountability to ensure high-quality patient care.

Benson Bridal, program director for the long-term care ombudsman program, raised alarms about the lack of resources for subacute care since the closure of St. Luke's unit, calling for better data collection and cooperation from hospitals to address the ongoing crisis.

In closing remarks, Supervisor Safae emphasized the urgency of bringing subacute beds online and preventing out-of-county transfers. The committee plans to follow up on the status of licensing and certification for new facilities, aiming to ensure that San Francisco residents have access to necessary care within their community.

The discussions underscored a growing consensus among healthcare professionals and advocates that immediate action is needed to address the subacute care crisis in San Francisco, with a focus on patient safety and local resource availability.