S.F. Health Department Requests Additional Funding

The San Francisco Department of Public Health's proposed budget for fiscal year 2001-2000 requests an additional $22 million in funding "just to maintain services and staffing," the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Under the proposal, the department's allocation from the city's general fund would increase from $259 million this fiscal year to $281.5 million in the year beginning July 1. The request for additional funding "runs counter" to Mayor Willie Brown's (D) "instruction that all departments [remain] within their current allocation." Health Director Mitchell Katz, however, said, "[W]e walk that line ... to maintain existing services." Of the $22 million, $8 million would be used to provide a 2% cost-of-living raise for the department staff. The extra funds also would be used to meet rising prescription drug costs, to "provide additional medical staff at county jails" and to "prevent a popular out patient pharmacy from closing." Including state and federal contributions, the health department's total budget would stand at $922.6 million if the proposed plan is approved. The Chronicle reports that while Brown has "pour[ed] money" into the health department in recent years, the city "might not be able to afford it again." Steve Kawa, the mayor's budget specialist, said, "This year has a different feel because of the failure of Proposition I (which would have saved San Francisco's business tax revenue stream) and the energy issue." The city Health Commission, which yesterday took its "first look" at the health department's proposed budget, acknowledged that it would have to "fight" for the requested pay increases (Lelchuk, San Francisco Chronicle, 1/31).