COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES MONTGOMERY STEPPE’S SAFETY NET BRIDGE PROGRAM FOR PRIMARY CARE SERVICES
SAN DIEGO, CA (October 27, 2026) – Today, the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a healthcare expansion of Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe’s Safety Net Bridge Program to protect San Diegans from Trump’s federal cuts to food assistance and healthcare. Nearly 69,000 San Diegans are at risk of losing their Medi-Cal coverage because of new federal work requirements.
“The Safety Net Bridge Program is a strategy to protect our most vulnerable residents by keeping a lifeline of services open – no matter what happens in Washington,” said Montgomery Steppe. “We have been intentional in crafting this multi-part program. The medical component is structured not just to pay for primary care visits when someone has a coverage gap, but to also actively assist people impacted by H.R.1 in getting back onto Medi-Cal.”
Today’s action directs the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to begin implementing a 12-month pilot to support the primary care medical services component of the Safety Net Bridge program. The pilot will serve San Diego County residents 19-64 years old who otherwise qualify for Medi-Cal but may temporarily lose coverage because of new federal requirements.
“When people lose access to their regular provider, they don't stop getting sick,” said Dr. Suzanne Afflalo, family physician and medical director, IWC Primary Care Clinic. “They end up in urgent care and emergency rooms sicker than they need to be. This is why the Safety Net Bridge Program is so important. For many in our community, it may truly be a matter of life or death.”
Through the Safety Net Bridge Program, County staff are helping people understand CalFresh and Medi-Cal requirements, maintain their benefits and re-enroll when necessary.
Since November 2025, Supervisor Montgomery Steppe and the County have taken several steps to protect San Diegans at risk of losing food assistance and healthcare coverage:
- November 2025 – Supervisor Montgomery Steppe introduces a Board letter to explore options for the Safety Net Bridge Program.
- March 2026 – Board directs County staff to develop an implementation plan, with reports due in 45 days for food assistance and healthcare.
- May 2026 – Board receives an update on the food assistance component and approves grant funding to Feeding San Diego and the San Diego Food Bank.
- June 2026 – the County and 211 San Diego launch the WorkReady Hub to help people understand new federal requirements and maintain their benefits.
- June 2026 – Board unanimously approves the food assistance component of the Safety Net Bridge Program.
- August 2026 – First food distribution event held at South Region Live Well Center in Chula Vista.
- October 2026 – Board unanimously approves primary care component of the Safety Net Bridge Program.
“I want to thank County staff for their incredible work to help develop the Safety Net Bridge Program,” Montgomery Steppe said. “They understand what’s at stake for the thousands of San Diegans who could lose access to food assistance and healthcare. I’m grateful for their commitment to helping our community through this difficult time.”
For constituents looking to enroll or re-enroll in benefits, please call the County’s Access Customer Call Center at 1-866-262-9881. Constituents can also apply for services and upload documents directly at benefitscal.com.
