Last week, the San Diego County Health and Safety Act (a measure that would raise the sales tax by a half-cent across San Diego County) qualified for the November ballot. This citizens’ initiative — which is supported by nonprofit and labor organizations, including HASD&IC — is focused on protecting health care, childcare and public safety, and addressing the Tijuana River sewage crisis.
San Diego County, along with the region and the rest of the state, is navigating a time of significant policy change. It’s more important than ever that we protect the health and well-being of those in our communities. As federal actions threaten deep cuts to Medi-Cal, and CalFresh, more than 300,000 residents could lose access to the health care and food they rely on to survive. This half‑cent sales tax measure is a critical local solution — one that allows our community to step up where Washington is stepping back and ensure the health and safety of our neighbors.
If passed, the health and safety act could generate $367 million in its first year. Here’s how the funding would break down:
- Health care, nutrition, and children – 60%: Protecting and providing affordable health care services, supporting County Medical Services, nutrition assistance and addressing food insecurity, and childcare and children’s healthy development and safety
- Tijuana River – 22.5%: Environmental mitigation and related programs in connection with the toxic sewage crisis
- Public safety – 17.5%: Protecting public safety services and preventing cuts to 911, wildfire prevention, and crisis response services
In January, the HASD&IC board voted to support the measure, which will directly strengthen the systems that care for our most vulnerable residents. It would also protect children, seniors, and families from food insecurity driven by eligibility redeterminations and rising grocery costs, while investing in children’s healthy development through childcare and integrated physical and mental health services. Together, the investments that would be made possible by the measure’s passage could help San Diego County meet growing community needs and prevent deeper, more costly crises in health care and social services.
As Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us, improving behavioral health outcomes requires more than awareness — it needs sustained action. Strengthening the continuum of care, expanding access to early intervention, and addressing the underlying social and economic factors that affect well-being are critical. Hospitals remain indispensable partners in caring for patients in crisis and beyond.
With the primary election just behind us, all eyes now turn to November. You’ll no doubt be hearing more about this measure— and many other statewide initiatives on the ballot — as the general election approaches. As you consider all the measures and races, it’s important to make your voice heard and take time to understand how each proposal could shape the future of the region and California.