Commissioners discuss primary care services recovery amid COVID-19 response

The San Francisco City Commission meeting held on July 4, 2025, focused on the status of primary care services in the city, particularly in light of the ongoing COVID-19 response. The meeting began with a brief acknowledgment of the absence of public comments, followed by inquiries from the commissioners regarding the current state of primary care operations.

Commissioner Chao raised concerns about the significant reduction in primary care numbers due to the deployment of staff to COVID-related services. Dr. Hellie Hammer, a representative from the primary care department, confirmed that operations had been scaled back considerably to allocate resources for COVID testing and vaccination efforts. She explained that many primary care staff were reassigned to support these critical services, which impacted the availability of in-person care and ancillary services such as nutrition and dental visits.

Dr. Hammer noted that while primary care operations had been reduced, there was a successful transition to telehealth services during the early months of the pandemic. This shift allowed for continued patient care, albeit in a limited capacity. She reported that primary care services were gradually being restored, estimating that they were currently operating at about 70% to 90% capacity for one-on-one patient visits, although ancillary services remained significantly scaled back.

The discussion concluded with appreciation for Dr. Hammer's insights, and no further comments or questions were raised by the commissioners. The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges faced by the city's healthcare system as it navigates the dual demands of COVID-19 response and the restoration of regular primary care services.