A Cliff-Hanger-Will Medical Center Close the Fairmont SNF?

For a few moments at the April 23rd County Board of Supervisors' meeting, it seemed that maybe the Alameda County Medical Center (ACMC) would get the $2 million it needs for the 2001-2 budget to keep the Fairmont Skilled Nursing Facility open. Dave Kears, Director of the Health Care Services Agency, had identified $9 million of unallocated Tobacco Settlement money, and was told by some Supervisors to give $2 million to the ACMC.

Continuing the tradition of punishing the ACMC for not having total control of its budget (an impossible feat with constantly changing funding streams), Kears' twist was that the money be for 2002-3 with the promise that the SNF would be kept open that entire budget year. Supervisor Keith Carson then said he would make a proposal that would allow the ACMC to close its budget deficit this year, but first he wanted public comment. About 10 community and union activists spoke passionately about the need for the Fairmont SNF to stay open. Then Carson continued his motion to keep Kears' many conditions on record but just added that the ACMC could apply next year's money to this year's budget deficit if it chose to! Vote Health activists were amazed that, after many years of harangues about the fiscal follies of the Medical Center, Kears and Carson were asking the ACMC to commit to keeping a non-mandated program open without knowing what their budget needs for next year will be.

As of newsletter press time, the Medical Center had not responded about whether they could responsibly accept such a deal. If they cannot, the SNF must close. Help us organize with SEIU Local 616:

Coalition to Save Fairmont Campaign Events

Date:		Tuesday, May 21
Time:		6 to 8 pm
Place:		Fairmont Cafeteria Guest Dining Room 15400 Foothill Blvd., 150th Ave exit from 580, cafeteria is up hill past admin building
Purpose:		"Release the Surplus, Save the SNF"-Use $4 million of the Unallocated Tobacco Settlement Money for 2001-2 and 2002-3

Dinner Available in the Cafeteria 4:30 - 5:45 p.m.

Date:		Tuesday, June 11
Time:		6 to 8 pm
Place:		Fairmont Cafeteria Guest Dining Room
Purpose:		"Rebuilding the Fairmont Campus, Revitalizing Services"

Health Care Coalition Asks County for Budget Details

Every year about this time Vote Health comes together with other community, union and health care agency members to strategize ways to strengthen our mutual message about the importance of the need for earmarking money for health care in the county's budget process. This year, the group has identified the following priorities:

• The need to maintain current funding in health - no cuts to health care providers, direct services and programs.
• Preserve and protect the designation of all tobacco settlement funds for health, as well as the $8 million in tobacco settlement funds for the current four health initiative areas.
• Maximize enrollment in health insurance programs, particularly Medi-Cal, by implementing the Children and Families Health Insurance Task Force recommendation in order to increase access to health care and increase revenue for the County.
• Explore revenue generating options to cover the county's budget deficit and work to close the gap in unmet health care needs.

The group is hoping that with this greater understanding of the revenue inflows and outflows, we will be better able to advocate for those who cannot afford health care.

Proposed $55 Million Increase in Administrative Fees Harms CA's Health Care Safety Net

Governor Davis's proposed 2002-03 budget increases the so-called "administrative fee" in the Medi-Cal Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) program by $55 million. This would take away federal Medi-Cal DSH funds from safety net hospitals such as Highland that provide essential health services to the rising numbers of low-income and uninsured patients.

These hospitals are already facing major cuts in federal Medicaid funding. Los Angeles County is facing a public health disaster if this goes through. These fees jeopardize access to vital community services, such as emergency rooms, trauma centers and pediatric care. Write your protests by using these points to Governor Gray Davis, State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916-445-2841.

Newsletter committee:
Nancy M. Friedman
Our thanks to CA Nurses Association for their help in producing this newsletter.