The seismic retrofit of Sequoia Hospital and health insurance for needy families

By Don Horsley

The current facility will not meet current standards for an essential services facility. There are an estimated 65,000 to 80,000 uninsured residents in San Mateo County

We have all witnessed the devastation that was caused by Hurricane Katrina. We don't want that to happen in San Mateo County and that is why I believe that the major priority for the District is to provide leadership and whatever incentives that we have available to be sure that our medical facilities can withstand the next major earthquake.

Another of my priorities for the Healthcare District is access to health care. The District can work with the County and the Health Plan of San Mateo County to create an insurance plan that includes not only children but needy families as well. The most recent estimate of the number of uninsured San Mateo County residents shows that we have between 65,000 and 80,000 residents who are without medical insurance. A significant number of those without medical insurance are residents of the Sequoia Healthcare District. I believe that by working with our partners in the County, we can provide a cost effective basic level of medical insurance that could be the model for the State.

I respectfully ask for your vote this November 2006.