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City Council won't fund insurance; but proposal could get city funding
Health programs may qualify as recipients of tobacco money
By Chantal Lamers
Nearly five hours of public testimony over a two-day period didn't persuade Mayor Ron Gonzales and five other San Jose City Council to use the city's tobacco settlement money to provide health insurance for uninsured children.
In a 6-5 decision on June 13, the council voted to support the mayor's original proposal to spend the city's tobacco settlement on senior services, anti-tobacco programs and education. The five other council members who voted against the mayor favor spending a portion of the money on children's health insurance.
Over the next 25 years, city officials expect to receive $10 million annually from the settlement. Had council members approved the insurance proposal, San Jose would have been the first city in the country to spend tobacco dollars on children's health care.
Proponents of children's health care estimate there are 37,000 uninsured children in the city of San Jose. The proposed children's health insurance program would have forged a partnership between San Jose, Santa Clara County and private foundations.
But advocates of the health insurance proposal didn't leave empty handed--the Mayor said he agreed that health care programs would qualify as possible recipients of the city's share of the tobacco money. That means health care proponents will be able to apply for committee seats that will help decide how to allocate the tobacco money. The catch is that members of the committee will be appointed by the Mayor.
Council members George Shirakawa, John Diquisto, Alice Woody, Pat Dando and Frank Fiscalini backed the mayor's plan.
"Many people indicate we ought to just do it, that it's a no-brainer," Fiscalini said of the plan to provide insurance. But Fiscalini added that he didn't want to support the program until it undergoes a thorough analysis by city staff.
Councilwoman Margie Matthews said she was in favor of making health care available to uninsured children in the city and recommended that the council put away $2 million per year to fund the plan at a later date.
She suggested that the health coverage plan begins as a pilot program. "If we don't give it a chance, I don't see how we have any options."
Matthews said the city can scrap the program if it isn't successful after one year. She said five council members are willing to open their arms to the children of San Jose while the others are pointing to the county to solve the problem. "That's not acceptable," Matthews said.
Her plan was backed by Charlotte Powers, Manny Diaz, Linda LeZotte and Cindy Chavez.
Chavez said council members usually take small steps to improve the quality of life for San Jose residents, but the chance to provide insurance for uninsured children offers a rare opportunity to make a dynamic change for San Jose residents.
LeZotte said she wants council members to step up to the plate and give the program the opportunity to blossom. "I want parents to have the option to take their kids to the doctor when they are sick," LeZotte said.
Over the next few months, council members are expected to vote on which programs will receive tobacco dollars.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
