| In the recession earlier this decade, as local revenues dried up and the state raided county coffers for its own budget, the Board of Supervisors cut millions from critically important social programs to make ends meet. Soon, the safety net was full of holes.
Much of that money was restored in recent years. And yesterday, supervisors made two decisions that could eventually provide the poor and sick in our county with better services than they've ever had.
That doesn't mean the safety net is fully mended. But the votes to implement a health-care plan for nearly one-third of our county's uninsured, and to invest hundreds of millions in tobacco settlement money in that project and in mental health, alcohol and drug treatment, after-school programs and in-home support services means that many San Diegans will have an easier time of it in the future.
Kudos to county supervisors for the vision to approve these and other social service projects. Past boards have not been as visionary or as innovative. And particular applause goes to county Health Director Dr. Bob Ross, who, with his staff and consultants, designed these programs.
Taxpayers should take note that the supervisors and Ross didn't try to solve the entire problem of the uninsured all at once, as much as they and everyone else might want to. More than 600,000 uninsured people didn't arrive overnight and we won't insure them quickly, either. They are a very diverse population, with various problems that put health insurance out of reach. |
Short of universal health coverage, which isn't going to happen, the county has had to figure out how to help each separate group. For instance, by doubling the income limit for county medical services, we can begin providing urgent care for the working poor. Through an aggressive outreach program, we can enroll many uninsured children who are eligible for government health insurance but whose parents don't know it.
 However, the county must still negotiate with state and federal governments to change eligibility requirements and to receive more funding for this innovative project. The problem of the uninsured is ubiquitous; state and federal regulators ought to be supportive of pilot projects to reduce their numbers.
While $2 million a year in tobacco settlement funds will go directly to anti-smoking programs, county supervisors wisely decided to use most of the money on other health-related programs. Some deal with the effects of smoking; some don't. But all the money will go toward improving the health and well-being of San Diegans. For example, $1 million will go to after-school programs. That's not smoking-related, but it provides care for kids during the hours of the day when they might otherwise be hanging out on the streets, vulnerable to the lure of drugs, tobacco, alcohol and crime.
We expect county officials to continue seeking ways to provide better health care coverage for the uninsured, and to further refine the spending of tobacco settlement dollars. But this week saw a very good start. |
