Retain Sequoia Health Care District

By Arthur J. "Art" Faro

It is essential to the health of our community, that the District continue to support wellness, disease prevention and healthcare

Subsequently, the State Legislature changed the law from Hospital Districts to Healthcare Districts to enable Districts not operating hospitals to use the tax money to support healthcare needs in their districts.

There are those who do not support the work of the District and want to eliminate it. Should this happen the taxes would still be collected, but we don't know how that money would be spent. It could go to any number of agencies, but probably not much of it spent on healthcare. In other words, the taxpayers would still be paying, but where that money would go is anyone's guess at this time.

Since 1997, when the District no longer operated a hospital, it has been a major supporter of our local non-profits which provide a wide variety of health services to more than 30,000 local residents annually. In addition, the District has played a leading role in establishing health programs such as: Samaritan House Health Clinic, San Mateo County South County Clinic, Health Schools Initiative in 8 local school districts, the Heartsafe Program, Ravenswood Health Center, and the newest program Apple Tree Dental Program.

As for fiscal responsibility, 100% of the current tax dollars are used to provide quality health services to the citizens of the Sequoia Healthcare District.