Advocates Seeking Parental Support for Ballot Measure To Fund Expansion of Children’s Hospitals

Children's hospital advocates are campaigning to gain parents' support for Proposition 61, a bond measure to fund an expansion of the state's 13 children's hospitals appearing on the Nov. 2 statewide ballot, the Fresno Bee reports (Anderson, Fresno Bee, 8/16). The $750 million measure would cost about $1.5 billion over 30 years, including interest (California Healthline, 7/6).

Five hospitals affiliated with public universities would share 20% of the funds, while the eight not-for-profit hospitals would share the remaining 80%. The measure would cap grants at $75 million each. The grants could not be used to hire staff, according to the Bee.

If the measure is approved, hospitals would have to apply for the grants, according to Diana Dooley, vice president and general counsel of Children's Hospital Central California in Fresno. Grants could be awarded in 2005 if Proposition 61 passes.

Dooley said that polls taken this spring show strong support for the measure.

However, the Valley Taxpayers Association, a Fresno-based advocacy group, has announced its opposition to the measure and other bond measures included on the November statewide ballot.

VTA President Chris Mathys said, "We don't believe the state -- because of the credit situation they're in -- should borrow additional money, and that includes bond measures."

Ron Roach, spokesperson for the California Taxpayers Association, said CTA likely would not announce its position on Proposition 61 until Sept. 24 (Fresno Bee, 8/16).

The ballot title and summary for Proposition 61 is available online. Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to access the summary.