Supervisor Wilma Chan Extends Measure A Funding for Health Services

On Nov. 6 Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan and the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to extend funding for Measure A, the Essential Health Care Services Initiative.

The extension will provide $27,894,603 in funding beginning in the summer of 2013 for health services provided to indigent, low-income and uninsured adults, children, families, seniors, and other residents of Alameda County.

“Strong, local health services are a key part of ensuring the well-being of our community’s residents,” said Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan. “The extension of Measure A funding means that Alameda County will continue to provide vital health care services for our most vulnerable families and residents.”

The extension of Measure A includes $11.5 million in funding each year for local medical services, $5.2 million for mental health services, $4.7 million for health services for priority populations like children and seniors, $2.9 million for public health services, and $2.5 million for substance abuse services.

In Alameda County Board of Supervisors District Three, San Leandro Hospital received $1 million to help cover the cost of keeping it open as a full-service hospital. Local schools also will receive funding for school-based health center services, including $135,000 for Oakland Unified School District, $105,000 for San Leandro Unified School District, $70,000 for the Alameda High School-Based Health Center, $70,000 for the Encinal High School-Based Health Center, and $70,000 for the Roosevelt Health Center. 

San Lorenzo High, which serves residents of San Lorenzo, received $70,000. In addition, several community-based organizations received funding, including $100,000 for the Alameda Boys & Girls Club and $75,000 for the Center for Empowering Refugees & Immigrants.

“Extending Measure A positions the county for the implementation of health care reform while providing our local communities with essential funding to help them withstand funding cuts of recent years,” said Supervisor Wilma Chan. 

Measure A was passed by Alameda County voters in March 2004 with 71 percent of the vote. Measure A authorized the county to raise its sales tax by one-half of one percent to provide additional financial support for local health services. Funds must be spent according to the priority population referenced in the ordinance, specifically: indigent, low-income and uninsured adults, children and families, seniors and other residents.