What Is Prop 4: Children's Hospital Bonds Initiative Explained

LOS ANGELES, CA — Proposition 4 seeks to authorize the sale of $1.5 billion in bonds to build, expand and renovate children's hospitals across California.It would cost the state $2.9 billion to pay back the debt over a 35-year period, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office.

Most of the money raised — 72 percent — would go toward eight qualifying nonprofit children’s hospitals. The remainder would go to University of California general acute care children’s hospitals and hospitals that provide pediatric services for children eligible for California Children’s Services.

The measure is primarily backed by the California Children’s Hospital Association, which represents the hospitals that would receive the funding. This is the third time the group has turned to voters to approve bond sales since 2004.

There is no formal committee formed in opposition to the measure, according to Ballotpedia.

Proponents argue that upgrades are needed to keep up with technological advancements in medicine.

"As new breakthroughs in medicine enable children with complex health conditions to grow and thrive, the demand for specialized pediatric care is increasing,” Ann-Louise Kuhns, chairperson of the California Children's Hospital Association said, according to Ballotpedia. “Think about what your cellphone was capable of 10 years ago and what it’s capable of today."

Opponents, say it’s an end-run around the legislative budgeting process that could end up costing taxpayers. The official ballot statement in opposition is a stock argument used in multiple anti-bond measure arguments. It asks voters to consider whether the measure is justified and if the state’s debt load is already bad enough.

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