ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE A
Vote YES on Measure A: Keep Our Local Hospitals Open
Our local hospitals are in crisis. Reckless decisions in Washington, driven by President Trump and Congress, have led to devastating and unprecedented cuts in critical healthcare funding, leaving Santa Clara County with a massive one-billion-dollar shortfall. If we don't take action, hospitals may be forced to shut down, and other critical County services will be slashed. This would result in longer wait times, fewer doctors, and longer drives to receive care. Measure A oƯers a balanced and responsible solution. The funding gap will be covered by a combination of County spending cuts and short-term local funding from Measure A that remains right here in Santa Clara County.
This issue aƯects more than just a few hospitals or those on Medi-Cal; it will impact everyone. When emergency rooms close, patients do not simply disappear—they crowd into the nearest hospital. This leads to skyrocketing wait times, increased costs, and a decline in the quality of care. Even those with private insurance will experience longer wait times, higher costs, and greater distances to travel when every minute counts.
The funding shortfall is likely to gravely aƯect Santa Clara Valley Healthcare, which serves one in four county residents, operates two of only three local trauma centers, and provides nearly half of all emergency room visits in Santa Clara County. If it struggles, the entire healthcare system is at risk.
Measure A is temporary: it will last for five years and includes strict oversight and independent audits so that voters can see how the funds are utilized. Importantly, the federal government cannot take a single cent of this funding.
Vote YES on Measure A to keep our hospitals open, protect access to care for everyone, and ensure help is available when we need it most.
Join us at SaveOurLocalHospitals.com
Daniel A. Nelson
MD, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center’s Department of Emergency Medicine Chair Emiko Rivera
RN, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Burn Center
Sara Cody
MD, Santa Clara County Public Health Director, Retired
Otto Lee
President, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
Douglas G. Sporleder
Fire Chief, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Retired