WHEN: Thursday, June 12, Noon
WHERE: County Center Plaza, 455 County Center, Redwood City
SAN MATEO – San Mateo County stands to lose an estimated $30 million in state funds, affecting critical health services and public law enforcement. The Governor's revised May budget, with its devastating cuts, comes on the heels of recent mid-year reductions to Medi-Cal.
The bad news continues. The County of San Mateo is considering a budget plan that would eliminate jobs and outsource transportation services at the San Mateo Medical Center.
If these cuts are allowed to go through, San Mateo County residents will find it increasingly difficult to gain access to healthcare, and the community will see the quality of county services diminish.
"As someone who grew up in this county and works here, I'm really concerned about what's happening with the county budget," said Irma Compton, a Public Services Specialist for the County's Planning and Building department. "Cuts as a Band-Aid solution are easy but will have long-term repercussions. There is always a domino effect."
San Mateo County's budget director boasts a "healthy" reserve projected at $209.3 million. And yet, the Medical Center, already understaffed with 70 vacant positions, is slated to have 19 positions cut in departments. And to save $240,000, the county would turn to an outside contractor to transport patients, something union workers have done for years while treating clients with great care.
County leaders should remember the commitment, loyalty and quality of service that come from employees with roots in the community. On the other hand, studies have shown that contracting out often results in higher costs, poorer service, and diminished government control and accountability.
"We thought the County learned from its failed experiment in contracting out pharmacy management and the linen operation," said Nadia Bledsoe, Business Agent for AFSCME. Contracting out seems cost-effective at first, but over time, contractors' duties will creep back into our union members' daily routine."
County workers will hold a press conference Thursday, June 12, and collectively blow the whistle! This action will be followed next week with a community rally Thursday, June 19 at the San Mateo County hospital. Together, the events aim to raise the community voice against state and county budget cuts. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors will hold budget public hearings beginning June 23.