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Alameda County supervisors direct Health Care Agency to develop Measure C pediatric spending plan
Summary
Supervisors heard legal and program guidance on the pediatric subaccount of Measure C, learned there is roughly $120 million on hand (20% of collections), and agreed to have the Health Care Agency, with county counsel and the county administrator, craft a phased process and bring recommendations to the health committee.
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 24 heard a legal briefing on the pediatric health-care subaccount created by voter-approved Measure C and gave staff direction — but no funding decisions — on how to distribute the money.
County counsel explained the initiative requires the board to consult with the local pediatric trauma center and specialty provider representatives before spending funds from the pediatric subaccount, which comprises 20% of Measure C revenue. Counsel emphasized permitted uses include maintaining a Level I pediatric trauma center, expanding specialist staffing and facilities, funding innovative programs that improve access for children and young adults, and that the measure prohibits supplanting existing funding sources.
The board also heard county health staff say Measure C collections exceed $400 million and could be closer to $600 million in total, meaning roughly $120 million (20%) is currently available for pediatric services, with an estimated ongoing stream of about $30 million a year at current collection levels.
Supervisors pressed staff on process questions: what “consultation” requires, whether funds can be awarded as grants or contracts, the role of an oversight committee and independent audits, and whether administrative costs may be charged to the pediatric account. County counsel said the oversight committee is a ‘look-back’ body that reviews prior-year expenditures for conformity with the measure and does not advise the board on spending decisions; she said the measure does not itself prescribe an administrative-cost percentage.
Public commenters representing Children’s Hospital Oakland urged planning that would support trauma services, interventional radiology and cath lab suites, simulation-based training, and expanded hospital-based youth-violence-prevention work.
By consensus the board directed the Health Care Agency, in consultation with county counsel and the county administrator, to develop a phased process for allocating one-time and ongoing Measure C pediatric funds, propose a prioritization and potential RFP approach, and present the recommendations to the Health Committee before returning to the full board. No formal motion or appropriation was taken at the meeting.
Next steps: the Health Care Agency will prepare a report to the Health Committee with a proposed process, recommended priorities and suggested oversight appointments; the board will consider specific awards or contracts in future public hearings.
