San Francisco Health Department Set To Outline Budget Cuts

The San Francisco Department of Public Health will present to the San Francisco Health Commission its proposals for $140 million in cuts Mayor Gavin Newsom (D) requested to help balance the city's budget, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

In addition, Newsom has called on the health department to cut another $23 million from next year's budget after the city's largest union rejected contract concessions last week.

The cuts would result in:

• $15 million in reductions for mental health and substance abuse services;
• Security at hospitals being outsourced; and
• A reduction in HIV services.

The Chronicle reports that deeper cuts likely will follow if voters reject budget-related measures in today's special election (Knight, San Francisco Chronicle, 5/19).

Cigarette Tax

Newsom also is proposing adding a 33-cent fee to a pack of cigarettes to help offset city street cleaning costs and to encourage smokers to quit.

The proposal will go before the San Francisco Board of Supervisors next month (McKinley, New York Times, 5/19).