We are finally getting around to second day of the Regents meeting of January 22-23. The meeting began with public comments. Several were anti-Israel demands for divestment. There were also some comments dealing with concerns about antisemitism. Other topics included staff pay, the UC budget, basic needs, concerns about the status of undocumented students given developments in Washington, and cancer research.
In addition to the concerns expressed in public comments, student government leaders complained about delays in receipt of financial aid. UC was asked to backfill support for undocumented DACA students who were fearful of applying for federal aid through FAFSA. A short disruption occurred after their presentations which did not lead to a significant halt in the meeting. Thereafter, student awards were presented.
The Regents then heard a presentation about UC agricultural programs. Reports of the various committees were approved.
After the full board meeting, the Health Services Committee met. It approved an appointment of, and compensation for, an interim head of UC-Davis Health. There was then a presentation dealing with UC Health and the state Medi-Cal (Medicaid) program. The state does not cover full cost of treating Medi-Cal patients who often end up in the (expensive) ER. Medi-Cal patient caseloads increased with passage of the ACA (Obamacare). This situation was characterized as not sustainable and cuts now occurring in Washington, DC may aggrevate that problem. Further cuts will lead to non-UC hospital closures and thus more Medi-Cal patients dependent on UC healthcare. Over 62% of the state's Medi-Cal budget comes from the federal government. And the prospect of the state offsetting federal cuts is remote.
Regent Park said it would be useful if UC engaged in detailed modeling so as to be able to map cutbacks in Washington to particular congressional districts including GOP districts. UC apparently is relying on a hospital trade association for such modeling. Generally, there was no disagreement among the Regents that the problem could become a crisis.
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As always, we preserve recordings of Regents meetings indefinitely because the Regents have no policy on retention.
The Board meeting of January 23 is at:
https://ia802300.us.archive.org/11/items/regents-board-1-23-2025/Regents%20Board%201-23-2025.mp4.
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Health Services is at:
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The general webpage for the January 23rd session is:
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