League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Alameda County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Measure AA Healthcare Safety Net Reauthorization Alameda County 2/3 Approval Required Pass: 148001 / 75.01% Yes votes ...... 49307 / 24.99% No votes See Also: Index of all Measures

Arguments For Measure AA

Arguments Against Measure AA

Measure AA does not increase tax rates. Measure AA merely reauthorizes and extends Alameda County's existing 1⁄2¢ sales tax. Measure AA funds critical health services to Alameda County residents. Without Measure AA, county clinics serving over 100,000 low-income children and families will be at risk of closure, trauma and emergency services throughout the county will be reduced, psychiatric and mental health services will be cut. Measure AA not only provides safety net medical care for residents of the county, including trauma and emergency medical services, it also provides primary and mental health services to families and seniors. Passage of Measure AA will ensure that all Alameda County residents have access to quality healthcare. Specifically, Measure A will help maintain or keep open: Trauma and emergency services throughout Alameda County Pediatric emergency services at Children's Hospital Essential primary care, preventative care and mental health services Basic primary care for underprivileged and uninsured children and families Retain qualified and experienced nurses and healthcare professionals Pre-natal and family planning services to low-income women Local hospitals and clinics Measure AA will keep local hospitals open and will provide accessible and affordable primary and preventative care to treat patients before their illnesses become more serious and the cost of treament more expensive. Measure AA is a frugal and carefully crafted plan to address the most essential healthcare needs of Alameda County residents. Measure AA has been called the most important local healthcare measure in the state. Measure AA is supported by every medical association and hospital in the county as well as doctors, nurses, the Alameda County Taxpayers Association, all five Alameda County Supervisors, business leaders, seniors and other residents of Alameda County. Please vote yes on Measure AA. Bertram Lubin, M.D. President & CEO, Children's Hospital of Oakland Tricia Muñoz, R.N. Registered Nurse, St. Rose Hospital Garrett Contreras Fire Chief, City of Hayward Tim Sbranti Dublin Mayor/Teacher Barbara Price President, Alameda County Taxpayers Association Rebuttal to Arguments For There are only two issues - Unfair Taxes and Squandered Tax Dollars under the guise of healthcare. Their statements are fallacious. It is not a 1⁄2 cent sales tax as proponents claim. It is 1⁄2 "percent" - a huge difference. Percentage based Taxes have a built in Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). As prices dramatically increase - so does your Tax amount. Likewise, the collections rise. The first year (2004) the County collected $75 mil. It is now up to over $128 mil. - a 71% increase. California now has the highest sales tax rate in the nation, close to 10% in most counties. Low income residents are forced to pay an ever increasing amount of their earnings in Sales Taxes, impacting them the most. The proponents use the typical scare tactics - "Without this money we will be forced to close". Rest assured, they are not going to close or curtail vital services. Further, there is no accountability. (See Ordinance, C&D.) And not surprisingly, a huge hunk of the Tax money is given away to the wealthy non-profit hospitals who support these Tax Measures with their large campaign contributions. Children's Hospital alone, recently shelled out over $2 million in campaign contributions. Yet, public and private hospitals are all spending millions on new construction while paying out enormous salaries to their Directors and CEO's. Lastly, they claim this Tax is supported by the Alameda County Taxpayers Association. Highly unlikely and not verified - the ACTA is inactive and practically defunct. Vote No! on Measure AA David E. Mix Chairman: Neighbors for a More Responsible Government

Here we go again folks - another TAX. This time a "Sale Tax" of 1/2%. This is the worst kind of tax out there. It is an extremely regressive flat tax, hurting the low income and senior citizens the most. Unarguably, it hit's the "poor" and the people most in need. The proponents falsely claim it benefit's the underprivileged children and families - Not true! More often they are socked with outrageous medical bill they are unable to pay The proponents also claim the Tax doesn't increase the present amount and is merely an extension. Who are the kidding - of course it increases. It is a fixed percentage of what you spend, as the cost of living steadily increases, you are forced to pay more and more just to survive. As the price of purchases go up - so does the Tax amount you truly pay. The $100 purchase you made fifteen years ago is now $200, requiring you to pay twice the Tax amount. It is clearly another broken promise. In 2004 they argued it was only "temporary" to fix the budget and avoid drastic cuts. Oh sure! Did you ever see a temporary Tax or a public entity able to balance its budget without claiming the "sky is falling" and repeatedly coming back to the public Tax trough. They claim there is truly a dire need - of course there is. The "needs" are always dire, public safety, crime prevention, fire protection, deterioratig roads and bridges, earthquakes, public buildings, etc.etc. Clearly, no argument there! However, where doe the money really go? This area's major newspaper recently reported the highest salaries in the County as going to public health administrators and the so-called non profits. Curb runaway spending - Vote No! on Measure AA David E. Mix Chairman, Neighbors For a More Responsible Government Rebuttal to Arguments Against Mr. Mix is a well-known anti-tax activist who regularly writes arguments against ballot measures regardless of the issue or merits. Measure AA has broad support of Alameda County emergency providers, including firefighters, doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals. Here are the facts: Measure AA does not raise tax rates. Measure AA merely reauthorizes the county's 1⁄2¢ sales tax to support Alameda County's emergency medical services and other essential healthcare programs. Measure AA provides a healthcare safety net for all Alameda County residents. Over 400,000 people in Alameda County are now served by Measure AA funded clinics and hospitals, and thousands more are on waiting lists. Without ongoing funding from Measure AA, these clinics are at risk of closure. Measure AA will ensure that victims of heart attacks and strokes will receive emergency care; people suffering from car and other accidents will receive prompt care; children born with serious medical conditions will receive treatment to help them live normal lives; psychiatric/mental health patients will obtain treatment; seniors will continue to receive home care assistance. This June voters have a clear choice. We can allow our healthcare system in Alameda County to unravel to a point where only the wealthy have access to healthcare. Or, we can continue our community's proud tradition of providing quality healthcare services to all. Measure AA requires an independent Oversight Committee to ensure that funds are well- spent. You can read the committee's report at: http://www.acgov.org/health/indigent/measureA.htm. Measure AA will preserve essential health care services and the safety net of hospitals and clinics that deliver healthcare to all residents. Please vote Yes. Dr. Taft Bhuket, Chief of Medical Staff, Alameda Health System Marlene Petersen, Executive Director, Senior Support Program of the Tri Valley Garrett Contreras, Fire Chief, City of Hayward Frank Staggers, Jr., M.D., President-Elect, Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Assn. Martin A. Lynch, Lifelong Medical Care/ Over 60 Health Center