Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 2
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $56,473, to San Mateo County Health Foundation to support Caring Hands in Health, and authorizing the County Executive, or designee, to execute the grant agreement.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended in November 2016 for a total of thirty years.
The Board of Supervisors (Board) held study sessions on Measure K expenditures and approved funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 budget cycle, divided evenly among the five supervisorial districts, for one-time district-discretionary needs and projects. District 2 has submitted a request to use their district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 2 (Supervisor Noelia Corzo - San Mateo County Health Foundation: support for Caring Hands in Health |
$56,473 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018. District 2 indicates that this organization is either a public agency operating within the county or a nonprofit organization registered and in good standing with the California Attorney General. District 2 indicates that the sponsoring Board member, member’s family, and member’s supervisorial staff do not serve as an officer, director, or play a policy role for the grantee organization.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to San Mateo County Health Foundation (SMCHF), and resulting grant agreement, in an amount not to exceed $56,473, to support Caring Hands in Health. The County Executive’s Office will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
District-discretionary Measure K funding for this organization has previously been provided as listed below:
• On July 22, 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved $150,000 in district-discretionary Measure K funds to SMCHF to support Caring Hands in Health.
• On June 13, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved a $150,000 contract amendment with SMCHF to provide additional district-specific Measure K funds for Caring Hands in Health.
The San Mateo County Health Foundation serves as the philanthropic partner of the San Mateo Medical Center and serves approximately 79,000 patients within the San Mateo County Health system. SMCHF’s mission is to serve the county’s most vulnerable community members, including underserved, undocumented, and unhoused individuals. Many individuals and families face significant financial strain from unexpected medical emergencies, and through its Caring Hands in Health program, SMCHF aims to bridge gaps in service and ensure that all community members have access to quality medical care, financial assistance, and supplies.
Through this grant, SMCHF will provide $19,454 in assistance to patients to help pay for their medical equipment, medical supplies, copays, and prescription drug costs. To evaluate patient need, SMCHF has an intake process where a patient attends their appointment with San Mateo County Health, the provider evaluates the patient’s situation and identifies their need for immediate assistance beyond what government aid and insurance covers. If patient need is identified, the provider submits an online application to Caring Hands in Health on behalf of the patient, SMCHF reviews this application within 48 hours, and assistance is granted based on available resources and the patient’s need. SMCHF does not distribute cash or other financial payments directly to patients. Instead, SMCHF orders medical equipment and supplies from vendors and has them sent to patients or their medical team. For copay assistance and prescription drug costs, SMCHF distributes funds directly to pharmacies or clinics.
Additionally, providers at the San Mateo County Health often refer patients who are facing housing insecurity to Samaritan House to access available housing resources. However, this process can often take time due to waitlists and resource availability, and SMCHF keeps patients housed by providing them with motel or hotel rooms on a short-term basis during their medical treatment in urgent circumstances. The proposed grant will also support this component of SMCHF’s efforts.
District 2 has informed the grantee organization that this grant is one-time only, and that the grantee organization will need to find other resources of funding going forward. The grantee organization will use the Measure K grant as follows:
Budget:
• $19,454: Medical equipment and supplies and assistance with copays and prescription drug costs, including but not limited to:
o Glucose monitors/diabetic supplies, blood pressure cuffs, external catheters, wheelchairs, walkers, canes.
o Items used for physical therapy like peddlers, orthotic accessories, TENS unit stimulators, bed wedges for neck and back pain.
o Bedrails, electric chair lifts, bariatric wheelchairs and mattresses.
o Copays and prescriptions outside of insurance coverage. This covers medical and dental requests for medication, procedures, eyeglasses, etc.
• $37,019: Recuperative housing for patients (485 motel/hotel room nights at $80-$90 per night)
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $56,473
Additional funding sources:
• LB Charitable Trust
• Sutter Health
• SAGA Foundation
The release of funds will be contingent on the execution of an agreement providing for the County’s confirmation of the expenditure of funds for the purposes stated herein. The County will disburse the funds to the following organization for the purposes described above:
San Mateo County Health Foundation
222 W 39th Ave
San Mateo, CA 94403
John Jurow
grants@smchf.org
650.573.2655
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Provide 33 patients with recuperative housing during their recoveries |
Complete |
|
Provide 115 patients with medical equipment, supplies and assistance with copays and prescription drug costs |
Complete |
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
EQUITY IMPACT:
Medical costs impose a significant burden on low-income households. High medical costs are often prohibitive to an individual in need of urgent or preventative care or even a prescription, leading to worse health outcomes for low-income community members, residents of color, and other disadvantaged communities. This funding will help SMCHF provide equipment, copay assistance, recuperative housing, and other basic needs to community members in need so they can access the medical care they deserve.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2024-25 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget.