March 2025: Jim Desmond Skipped A Special Meeting Of The Board Of Supervisors Where The Board Received Behavioral Health And Substance Use Recommendations To Appear On A Fox Show
March 4, 2025: Desmond Was Absent From A Special Meeting Of The San Diego County Board Of Supervisors Where The Board Received Recommendations To Address Behavioral Health and Substance Use
March 4, 2025: Desmond Was Absent From A Special Meeting Of The San Diego County Board Of Supervisors. “PRESENT: Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer, Vice-Chair; Joel Anderson; Monica Montgomery Steppe; also, Andrew Potter, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. ABSENT: Supervisor Jim Desmond; (District 1 Seat Vacant).” [San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Meeting Minutes, 3/4/25]
Image: see original report, p. 59
[San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Meeting Minutes, 3/4/25]
March 4, 2025: The San Diego County Board Of Supervisors Received Recommendations To Address Behavioral Health And Substance Use During Its Meeting. “The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is reviewing Wednesday the merits of a plan to create 16,000 behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment ‘slots’ by 2030. […] The board voted 3-0 to receive the presentation, and directed Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton to return with updates on the program in August. Supervisor Jim Desmond was absent on Tuesday.” [Patch, 3/5/25]
- The Board Voted 3-0 To Receive The Presentation. “The board voted 3-0 to receive the presentation, and directed Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton to return with updates on the program in August. Supervisor Jim Desmond was absent on Tuesday.” [Patch, 3/5/25]
County Director Of Behavioral Health Luke Bergmann Said Medi-Cal Funding Covered 70% Of Costs Of The County’s Substance Use System. “‘Over the last five years, we have built a crisis and diversionary service network that didn’t exist before,’ said Luke Bergmann, director of behavioral health for the county. […] ‘Last year, Medi-Cal funding covered 70 percent of costs within our substance use system and while the details of future directions for the Medicaid program remain unclear, congressional proposals are already on the table that would have a huge financial impact on the State of California,’ Bergmann said. ‘If they were adopted, the loss of Medi-Cal funding would have ripple effects across all behavioral health programs in San Diego County.’” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/4/25]
- Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe Urged Residents To Oppose Cuts To Medi-Cal. “Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe said the approach ‘of simply creating places to put people’ won't address the broader issue or serve people in need. […] Montgomery Steppe noted that nearly 1 million San Diegans are enrolled in Medi-Cal, the state program. ‘This is a true risk and we have been working and will not accept this threat passively,’ she said, adding that residents and organizations need to be vocal about funding cuts.” [Patch, 3/5/25]
March 4, 2025: Desmond Appeared On A Fox News Show That Aired At The Same Time As The Special Meeting
March 4, 2025: Desmond Appeared On Fox Business Show Varney & Co. [Fox Business, 3/4/25] (VIDEO)
Image: see original report, p. 60
[Fox Business, 3/4/25] (VIDEO)
Varney & Co. Aired From 9:00 AM To 12:00 Noon Eastern Time. “Stuart Varney takes over the critical market-open coverage with Varney & Co. (9-12PM/ET). The program, which is amongst the highest rated programs in business news, breaks down the latest in financial news and political headlines.” [Fox Business, Varny & Co., accessed 4/23/26]
March 4, 2025: The San Diego County Board Of Supervisors Special Meeting Was Called To Order At 11:02 AM Pacific Time And The Board Adjourned At 12:55 PM Pacific Time. “REGULAR SESSION - Special Meeting was called to order at 11:02 a.m. […] The Board adjourned the special meeting at 12:55 p.m.” [San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Statement of Proceedings, 3/4/25]