Committee forwards $1 million telehealth grant for Zuckerberg SF General integration

The Budget & Finance Committee voted to forward a resolution authorizing the Department of Public Health to accept and expend a $1,000,000 grant from a foundation administered via the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation to expand telehealth access and integrate Epic Video Visits.

Jeff Scarfia of DPH described the proposal as a "drastic step forward" for digital equity: the platform would allow patients to join visits without downloads, usernames or passwords by clicking a link sent via text. He said half of the grant would fund patient support (assistance accessing the platform) and the other half would buy devices and connectivity (iPads, webcams, Wi‑Fi) in clinic locations.

There were no public callers on the item; the committee recorded a unanimous vote to forward the grant acceptance to the full Board with a positive recommendation.