March 2024 advocacy, policy, and election updates
1) Advocacy at the Capitol: National Association of Community Health Centers
In mid-February, CEO Lance Toma and Health Policy Analyst Julian Johnson attended the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)’s Policy and Issue Forum in Washington, D.C. –a convening that brings together community health center & health equity advocates across the United States to call for additional funding and resources in order to serve those most vulnerable. While at the conference, Lance & Julian worked alongside members of the San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium to hold meetings with the Offices of Senator Alex Padilla (CA); Senator Laphonza Butler (CA); Congressman Kevin Mullin (CA-15); and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11).
Members of the San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium with staff from the Office of Senator Laphonza Butler (CA).
Members of the San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium with Deputy Chief of Staff of Congressman Kevin Mullin (CA-15).
2) Community Health Centers remain a Bipartisan Priority
In order to avert another threat of government shutdown, both the House of Representatives and Senate passed a package of six spending bills on March 6th and March 8th respectively to fund a slew of programs and agencies through the end of fiscal year 2024. SFCHC was delighted to see that as part of this “minibus”, Community Health Center (CHC)’s will see an increase in mandatory funding to $4 billion. We are glad to see that in a time of such partisan division, the need to fund community health centers and support their work remains a shared priority across political ideologies.
3) Results from March 5 Primary Election
On March 5, 2024, countless San Franciscans cast their ballot in the 2024 primary election. In our March Voter Guide, SFCHC provided a public stance on several propositions. Here are the results:
Proposition A: Affordable Housing: Expands police powers through the use of surveillance on public property and drones. Reduces and expedites reporting procedures for use of force incidents. Calls for additional mechanisms to gather public feedback.
PASSED (68.5% YES, 31.5% NO)
Proposition E: Powers of San Francisco Police Department: Expands police powers through the use of surveillance on public property and drones. Reduces and expedites reporting procedures for use of force incidents. Calls for additional mechanisms to gather public feedback.
PASSED (58.3% YES, 41.7% NO)
Proposition F: Requires individuals who receive cash welfare benefits from the city and county of San Francisco to be screened for drug use based upon “reasonable suspicion.” Individuals who screen positive must enroll in a treatment program to keep assistance.
PASSED (61.6% YES, 38.4% NO)
SFCHC is glad to see San Francisco make continued investments in affordable housing and understand the role housing & shelter play in an individual’s wealth. And while we are disappointed in the passing of both Prop E & F, our commitment to addressing both public safety and the opioid crisis through the use of evidence-based solutions and community buy-in remain steadfast. We encourage our clients and partners to continue to pay close attention to the implementation of these measures and to continue their civic engagement through the November 2024 general election.
Still Waiting to See: Prop 1
~ While we did not have a public stance, SFCHC is paying close attention to the results of Proposition 1 as the vote count continues. Labeled as the Behavioral Health Services Act, this measure would reallocate a portion of funds (approximately $6.38 billion) from the Mental Health Services Act to build housing and residential treatment facilities for people with mental illness.
Results currently stand at 50.3% YES and 49.7% NO. The measure needs more than 50% to pass.