The Health Consequences of California's Public Safety Power Shut Offs

As California's fire season heats up, preventative power shut offs are likely to follow, potentially leaving millions without electricity.

Once unprecedented, these public safety power shut offs (PSPS) have become common practice as utility companies seek to prevent wildfires sparked by downed power lines. But the consequences of these shut offs are vast, and have significant implications for health care.

Without power, safety net health facilities must often close down entirely, forcing patients to delay care or rely on their hospital's emergency department. Without insurance, the cost of urgent care can be prohibitive.

On this episode of the podcast, we speak with a Northern California health center impacted by the 2019 power shut offs about the role of power in delivering health care, particularity during Covid, and what they are doing to prepare for this year's PSPS season.