San Jose officials support sales tax measure to offset health care impacts but concerns linger

"Despite lingering concerns about affordability and a desire for better long-term planning, the vast majority of San Jose city leaders support the upcoming sales tax measure proposed to counter the effects of the Trump Administration's budget bill on Santa Clara County's health care system. On Tuesday, the City Council approved a resolution in support of Measure A the five-year, five-eighths of a cent tax proposal that will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot"

"County officials had warned that the trillion-dollar nationwide cuts to Medicaid over the next decade would translate into $4.4 billion in revenue losses through 2030, which could result in higher premiums, increased costs and greater strain placed on the health care system. Although the prospect of higher sales taxes bringing San Jose up to 10% was a difficult pill to swallow, elected"

San Jose City Council voted 9-1 to support Measure A, a five-year, five-eighths cent sales tax that will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot, with one dissenting vote from District 10. County officials warned that nationwide Medicaid cuts could translate into $4.4 billion in revenue losses through 2030, risking higher premiums, increased costs and greater strain on local health care. Elected officials said a higher sales tax, which could raise San Jose's rate to about 10%, is preferable to allowing cuts. District 6 hosts the most county hospital beds and specialty services; failure could reduce critical infrastructure. One-quarter of county residents use Medi-Cal, the county health system's largest revenue source.

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