Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joined ZSFG CEO Dr. Susan Ehrlich and SFGHF CEO Kim Meredith at the Commonwealth Club for an inspiring discussion on the impact of H.R. 1 on health care access, public hospitals like ZSFG, and the country at large. Together, the panel offered an exclusive look into the challenges currently facing public health care and the role the Foundation and our community can play in its future. 

Every year, ZSFG serves 1 in 8 San Franciscans in its outpatient care center and Level 1 Trauma Center, and the impending changes to health care access will mean even more of our neighbors will depend on ZSFG. The defunding of Medi-Cal coverage due to H.R. 1 is estimated to impact 1 in 3 of our neighbors. 

Discussing the real impacts on day-to-day care at ZSFG, Dr. Ehrlich explained that primary care visits are at the greatest risk, as newly uninsured individuals will lose the safety net that previously covered routine visits and prescriptions. This means people will increasingly avoid medical care until their health issues are dire, leading to a spike in emergency room visits and placing a massive burden on ZSFG’s resources.  

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi also highlighted ZSFG as a model of care for the entire country. Sharing that she believes ZSFG is a global beacon for health, Pelosi noted that the Hospital’s system of emphasizing quality of care over quantity of patients seen was instrumental in establishing nationwide standards during her time working on the Affordable Care Act.

If you couldn’t join us in person or via livestream, you can watch the full event here.