Dear Friends,
As Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, it’s been my mission to ensure that our state's healthcare system can deliver quality and accessible care while protecting the health and safety of patients and medical staff. Since 1894, the Alameda Hospital has served as the island's only emergency medical service provider. This critically important resource safeguards the city in case of emergency or natural disaster, like the 2023 power outage which temporarily shut down a third of all bridges leading off the island and could have prevented residents in need of medical attention from leaving the island for care.
In 1998, California set new seismic safety standards, to certify the structural safety of aging hospital buildings. My office has been proud to work with partners from the Alameda Health Care District and SEIU California to ensure that Alameda Hospital can continue to provide quality service to the island and surrounding communities while meeting seismic standards that protect the safety of staff, patients, and Alameda residents.
To support this effort, I authored AB 2157 - a cost-saving proposal that helps leverage funding from the city of Alameda’s Measure A (2002), to allow the Alameda Healthcare District to make the capital improvements needed to preserve Alameda Hospital for future generations. According to James Jackson, Alameda Health System CEO, “Alameda Hospital has no plans to close or divert emergency surgery services from Alameda Hospital, and we look forward to continuing to protect the ability of Alameda Hospital to serve the public.”
However, Alameda Hospital has been authorized to cease elective surgeries – surgeries that are not immediately life-threatening but still vital – after June 30th, citing the need to “offset costs associated with the seismic upgrade required to keep Alameda Hospital operational.” While this is a significant blow to Alameda residents’ access to local medical providers, the need for an emergency medical center located on the island itself is still great, and I will continue to work to preserve this facility and emergency medical service in Alameda.
Alameda Hospital is the only acute care facility on the island of Alameda and it is essential that services are retained to safeguard Alameda residents from emergencies. Included in this newsletter are additional medical resources from across the city of Alameda to uplift the health and safety of our community, and ensure that every resident has access to quality care where they live.
Yours in Service,
Mia Bonta
Assemblymember, 18th District
In this newsletter, you'll find the following information:
Assemblymember Mia Bonta & staff are committed to keeping AD-18 residents fully engaged and informed. Please send this newsletter to a friend and subscribe!
Stay connected with our office at (510) 286-1670, Email Me, or follow us on social media.
Section 1: City of Alameda Health Resources
Section 1A: Get Vaccinated in Alameda
As we move into the summer, now is the perfect time to update any needed vaccinations before traveling or returning to school, at a provider in the city of Alameda. Protect yourself from COVID-19, RSV, Pneumonia, Shingles, Tdap and more by visiting the city of Alameda’s website to find local providers including:
Safeway - 867 Island Drive, Alameda, CA 94502 - (510) 747-1647 2227 South Shore Center, Alameda, CA 94501 - (510) 863-9004 2600 5th St., Alameda , CA 94501 - (510) 523-1827
Walgreens - 1916 Webster St, Alameda, CA 94501 - (510) 864-2800
Section 1B: Food As Medicine - Food Security Providers in Alameda
As a part of this year's legislation, I introduced AB 1975 - Food As Medicine, to allow physicians to prescribe nutritional diet plans as a covered Medi-Cal benefit. The benefits of available healthy food as a preventative measure to many common ailments are vital, with Alameda offering several resources to help battle food insecurity.
Alameda Food Bank
Alameda Food Bank has provided quality nutrition to the island’s residents since 1977. Residents can make an appointment online or shop online for curbside pickup.
Where: Alameda Food Bank, 650 West Ranger Avenue, Alameda, CA 94502
When: Monday & Friday 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. & Wednesday 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Alameda County Food Bank Help Line
Looking for food today? Call the Alameda County Food Bank Helpline at 1-510-635-3663, or visit FoodNow.net to connect with a source for groceries or a hot meal the same day you call, with assistance in multiple languages. County Food Bank hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Use the Alameda County Food Bank Finder Tool
Section 1C: Alameda Family Services
Operating Alameda’s Head Start Program, as well as local school-based mental health programs at 15 Alameda Schools, Alameda Family Services, provides several freely accessible health and family-based resources to Alameda residents. In partnership with Native American Health Center, Alameda Family Services have registered nurse practitioners and licensed medical staff on-site twice a week at Alameda High and Encinal High Health Center locations.
Students attending any of the public middle and/or high schools in Alameda are eligible to receive no-cost and confidential medical services at either location.
Find other participating school location
Alameda Community Assessment Response and Engagement Team
The Alameda Community Assessment Response and Engagement (CARE) Team is a mental health crisis response program that provides highly trained Alameda Fire Department (AFD) paramedics to respond to non-violent, mental health crises in the City of Alameda. Alameda Family Services (AFS) provides 24/7 On-Call Licensed Clinicians to support the paramedics in the field and provides intensive follow-up Clinical Case Management to support individuals and families with linkages to services.
If you are in need of an emergency response for a non-violent mental health crisis, please contact the non-emergency Alameda Police Department (510) 337-8340 or call 911 and ask for The Alameda CARE team.
Section 1D: Supporting in Mental Health in Alameda
If you, a loved one, or a neighbor is suffering from mental health issues or substance abuse, reach out now to find a nearby support program. Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services’ (ACBHCS) ACCESS Program is the system-wide point of contact for information, screening and referrals for mental health and substance use services and treatment for Alameda County residents.
To explore supportive services for ongoing mental health and substance abuse services call 800-491-9099 (M-F, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.).
If in Crisis, Utilize Alameda Supportive Services
City of Alameda Homeless Hotline: 510-522-4663 (M-F, 9 a.m. -5 p.m.)
Countywide Mobile Crisis Team: 510-891-5600 (M-F, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
Section 1E: Find Medi-Cal Dental Program Enrolled Dental Providers in Alameda
Patients who are enrolled in Medi-Cal also have access to a dental coverage plan, offering free or low cost exams, cleanings, and other dental health care. Visit the Medi-cal Dental Program website here, to find nearby providers in the city of Alameda who are currently accepting new patients.
Interpreter services are available to all members in over 240 languages and can be provided by calling 1-800-322-6384.
Section 1F: Get $120 in Groceries FREE per Eligible Child with SUN Bucks
SUN Bucks is a new permanent program that helps families with school-age children buy groceries during the summer when kids might not have access to school meals.
SUN Bucks are put on an EBT card. Each eligible child in your family will get one card with $120 to buy groceries – that’s $40 per month for June, July, and August. You can use your card to buy food at most grocery stores, farmer's markets, and other authorized retailers.
Learn more about the SUN Bucks program online or call the SUN Bucks Helpline at (877) 328-9677.