Santa Clara County voters approved Measure A to offset dramatic federal budget cuts to the county’s health system, with poll data showing 64% of voters found convincing the message that Measure A would prevent closure of local hospitals and emergency rooms. The measure aims to protect the public health care system threatened by H.R. 1, the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” which has led to sweeping federal cuts affecting health insurance, mental health care, housing, food, child care, and heating assistance.
As a result of H.R. 1, the Trump administration has slashed funding expected to cut $1 billion per year from the county’s health system. County leaders anticipated human needs and acted accordingly. In polling conducted by DB Research preceding Measure A’s passage, voters clearly knew they were voting to support the local safety net health care system and prevent worsening of the health care crisis. County residents recognize they deserve both strong public safety and strong health care systems, according to Dr. Tony Iton, CEO of The Health Trust, a health foundation covering Santa Clara and Northern San Benito counties.
Iton emphasized that good health care will reduce burden on public safety. A healthy child is much less likely to interact with the criminal justice system, and more than 40% of incarcerated people have a mental health condition. Getting people needed treatment will directly improve public safety. Even with Measure A’s passage, the county will face difficult budget choices due to sweeping cuts to human services in the federal budget, as health care, public safety, and other important county services face ongoing pressure.
The Health Trust, a health foundation covering Santa Clara and Northern San Benito counties, has worked for 30 years providing health and social support to vulnerable county residents. The organization was proud to support Measure A and inspired by county leadership’s quick recognition of the threat to the health system and urgent action to rally community leaders in support of this decisive action. The organization looks forward to standing with the Board of Supervisors as it invests Measure A dollars into preventing loss of critical emergency and other health services.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://sanjosespotlight.com/iton-santa-clara-county-voters-wanted-measure-a-to-fund-health-care/