SCC Board of Supervisors Special Meeting - August 7, 2025, 2pm
- Cristina de la Fuente, BSN, RN
- Aug 11
- 13 min read
Updated: Sep 4
To read detailed information about H.R. 1 (the big deadly bill) and Measure A (a short-term life-saving intervention), please go to the event page for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Special Meeting that took place Thursday, August 7, 2:00 PM.
Two of the most informative documents are the Agenda Packet and the 2025 Sales Tax Ordinance.
To watch the full video recording of the meeting click here.
To jump straight to specific speakers, click on the speakers' photos below.
To learn more and to ask specific questions, please feel free to join upcoming in-person community events about H.R. 1 and Measure A throughout Santa Clara County. The events are announced on our event page and in our email announcements.
County Executive James Williams
Public Comments
Vivian Lowe, Registered Nurse, 24-yrs El Camino (Retired), District 5 Resident
It's false to assume that hospitals and citizens in higher economic neighborhoods will not be impacted and will not need to play a role in solutions for the crisis that is upon us. We are not a stationary citizenship. We move around. We never know when any of us will need medical care and where we'll be when it happens. When any one hospital is overburdened and has to deny patient access, the burden simply shifts to other hospitals. Time is wasting. We need to cooperate together. (42:09)
Karen Taylor, 30-yr Tech Professional (Retired), Santa Clara County Resident
I ended up in Valley Medical. I was in Tech. I had a good job. I was working for an amazing company. I still ended up here. I thought that this hospital was not going to be a place for me. I ended up there twenty-four weeks pregnant. I ended up delivering twins - both a pound and a half. One of them did not survive, but I have a thriving twenty-eight year old today. Without the services... without the proximity of this institution Valley Medical... when I needed care and critical services the most... They were there. That's why we have to continue to help people understand. (43:26)
Daniel Nelson, MD, Chair of Emergency Medicine, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
I am here today in strong support of the proposed sales tax measure to protect and strengthen healthcare in Santa Clara County. Even today, demand for emergency care far exceeds our resources. On average, at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, we operate at 207% of our ED capacity, and there are times when that number surges over 500%. Despite these overwhelming challenges, our teams have delivered more care than ever before, dramatically improving outcomes and access. The reality is, we are already operating beyond what the current system can sustain. The Federal cuts being proposed would be devastating, pushing an already strained system into outright crisis, not just at Santa Clara Valley, but across all acute care hospitals, behavioral health, and maternity care. Every part of our safety-net will be impacted, leading to longer waits, worse outcomes, and avoidable loss of life. (44:42)
Michael Elliott, Executive Director, Valley Health Foundation
I come here with two things. My first is my thanks for taking decisive action. Just like this County took decisive action to save three hospitals. Just like this County took decisive action to vaccinate 1.8 Million citizens who live here against the Covid-19 virus. I thank you now for taking decisive action against this disastrous Federal budget that is going to eviscerate our public health system and put every resident in this community at risk. The second thing I bring is my commitment. I know there are hundreds and thousands of people like me that are going to work hard and fight to protect the health and safety of every resident in this community. I thank you for leading the way.
Karen Steach, Nurse Manager Critical Care, O'Connor Hospital
Everyday I witness firsthand the vital role our hospital plays as a safety net for our community in Santa Clara County. Each of our facilities and service lines play a critical role in the safety net. At O'Connor we see over 190 in the Emergency Room everyday, perform over 20 surgeries, and care for more than 170 inpatients, all serving as both provider of choice and a lifeline for those with nowhere else to go. The substantial cuts to healthcare in the Federal budget are deeply alarming to me and my fellow hospital administrators. These cuts threaten the stability of our entire safety net system. If even one hospital in our network were to close, the impact would be devastating, not just for patients, but for the entire County health system. When our leaders and partners at the national or state level step back, we need to step forward to ensure the safety net remains intact for our community and our patients. CEMA and your County managers support the sales tax and urge you to vote "YES." (46:40)
Esmeralda Virelas, Community Outreach & Education Officer, Destination Home
Our community, especially those who are unhoused and unstably housed, are asking the same question: 'What is going to happen to the services we rely on to survive?' The proposed Federal budget cuts pose a direct threat to the safety net that holds our community together. Losing funding for our local hospitals and the care systems that support more than ten thousand unhoused residents each year will really be risking lives. These Federal cuts could force the County to eliminate essential programs across every area that helps stabilize individuals and prevent homelessness, even before it starts. We urge you to move forward with the proposed sales tax. We must explore any avenue for protecting these critical services. We do believe this provides an opportunity to blunt the impact that is coming ahead. (48:80)
Bob Brownstein, Resident of Santa Clara County
Imagine there was a massive earthquake that hit Santa Clara County. We'd all immediately drop whatever we were doing and engage in any action we could think of to rescue and aid our neighbors and vulnerable members of our community. Today we face a fiscal earthquake. It was created, not by geologic forces, but by ruthless and heartless ideologues in Washington, but the devastation will be just as horrific and our response must be just as determined. I urge the Board to place this measure on the ballot. Doing so will give us the chance to raise the resources we need to prevent unnecessary injury, illness, disability, and death. In this County, at least we should stand tall and protect each other. (49:13)
Mark Herbert, Member of San Jose-Based Food Services Cooperative, District 5 Resident
I'm a lifelong District 5 resident. I am also a member of a San Jose-based food service cooperative. Together with a number of small County businesses, our goal is to provide locally produced, low cost nutrition to undeserved communities in the County. Recognizing the tremendous importance of protecting local health services, I would ask that the Board consider affordability of providing food services to the extent possible, create exemptions or create some consideration for food services. (50:15)
Priya Pandya-Orozco, Director of Infection Control, Santa Clara Valley Health System
I am the Director of Infection Control of Santa Clara Valley Health System. Prior to this, I was the Infection Control Manager at O'Connor Hospital. I would like to take a moment to highlight the critical role O'Connor Hospital has played as a safety net provider to the Santa Clara County community as we face significant proposed healthcare cuts in funding Federal budgets. My colleagues and I are concerned about the impact that this will have on the integrity of our health safety net system. Each of our service lines serve essential irreplaceable care. The loss of even one would cause a substantial gap in services to those who depend the most on us. At O'Connor, we're committed to excellence in patient safety, quality in infection prevention, as well as our entire system is. We have received and garnered two national awards that were grand prizes through the APIC association of infection prevention and one enterprise-wide. During the COVID pandemic, O'Connor lead the development of the COVID Tiger Team - the boots on the ground service that composed of nurses trained as subject matter experts. (50:59)
Rachel Ruiz, MD, Chair of Valley Physicians Group, Pediatric Gastroenterologist
I am the Chair of Valley Physicians Group. I am also a Pediatric Gastroenterologist here at Valley. I am also a Gilroy native, and I am a mom of four. Everyday, I care for children who depend on our hospitals, not just for emergencies, but for ongoing care that keeps them healthy. Just yesterday, I diagnosed a teenager with ulcerative colitis, an illness that without treatment can lead to colon cancer in adulthood. Lastnight, my colleagues in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit cared for a toddler who was airlifted to our Level 1 Trauma Center after being run over by a car. This sales tax measure is a critical investment in our hospital and clinics. Without it, H.R. 1 will cause devastating gaps in care for our most vulnerable patients, and also the entire community at-large. As a doctor, I know what's needed. As a mom, I know what's at stake. We must protect our core and critical services and this modest tax protects our services. (52:06)
Praveen Anchala, MD, Physician at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
With the passage of H.R. 1, the medical community is reeling at the devastating healthcare costs that are headed our way and the possibility of having to choose who lives and who dies based on a lack of resources. Make no mistake about it. We provide care for our most vulnerable in our population. You've heard that already, but we also provide critical services to the most affluent as well. The changes in H.R. 1 will profoundly impact everybody in this County. Your doctors are ready and waiting in the hospitals 24/7/365 to take care of you, to support you and the community because we took an oath to our profession, but also because it's the right thing to do. My message to the community is this: as you weigh this vote, we will be here to support you as long as we are able in the hospital. Will you be there to support each other? That what we would like to see with this vote. (53:29)
Darcie Green, Executive Director of Latinas Contra Cancer
Do you know how many times since the purchase of Regional Medical Center I have said to patients, to neighbors, to friends and family how proud I am to live in a County where our leadership consistently does what it takes to defend our safety net and to protect patients who depend on it? By voting to place this on the ballot, we are not only protecting County's most vulnerable patients, but you are also defending care for everyone in our County, regardless of where they get their care. That is courage, that is leadership, and more importantly, it is you, our leaders, assuring our community that in the face of these devastating cuts and threats to our lives from the Federal government that we will protect our people and we will keep each other safe. It makes me panicked to think about the health and economic impact to our County residents if we do not do this, and understand that this is one of many strategies that the County would need to move forward and lessen the impact and save lives. (54:33)
Carmen Martinez, Director of Organizing, Latinas Contra Cancer
While our Federal administration strips away our rights to the essential medical care and services, we must heavily rely on our community, our leaders to fight back. We cannot sit and wait on the sidelines and wait for a miracle to happen. We need all hands on deck. This tax will be the first step forward in ensuring that no one is denied care. To the community, let's start organizing and make sure that tax ballot measure passes. (55:43)
Jack McGovern, Political Director, South Bay Labor Council
As attacks from Washington prioritize profits over workers' rights and public services, we must act locally to safeguard what matters most - accessible healthcare and family-sustaining jobs. This sales tax proposal before you is the surest way to do that. Healthcare is a workers' right. Our County hospitals and clinics treat everyone, no matter income. Without reliable funding, those doors close for the people who need it the most. Second, the measure will protect jobs and protect services. More than twenty-thousand union workers depend on these facilities. Cuts or closures mean layoffs, understaffing, and diminish care. Third, preventing privatization crisis. When public dollars dry up, services get outsourced, wages fall, and patient and community outcomes suffer. Every penny raised here will stay here. We the South Bay Labor Council are committed to working with you and allies to win voter approval November 2025.
Patrick Ahrens, State Assemblymember (District 26)
I just want to echo the comments made by our County Executive, and I want to say that the State of California stands with you. Hopefully supporting today's action by the Board of Supervisors, we believe it's an important and necessary step to protect our most vulnerable residents. We need to speak with one voice as one County and do everything that we can to not leave anyone behind in the devastating cuts that were mentioned. I was born at the County hospital here in Santa Clara County. I would not be in the State legislature if it wasn't for the social safety-net services is provided by the leadership of this Board and so many visionary leaders before them. I stand with you today in doing everything I can to be supportive of this measure.
Alison Brenner, CEO, Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, District 5 Resident
Wearing both hats, I urge you to vote to approve the temporary sales tax measure for the November ballot. This measure is a vital step to shield our community from the devastating impact of planned Federal Medicaid cuts. The County's robust healthcare system isn't just a provider. It's a lifeline. It serves one in four residents, operates the only hospitals in South County and East Side, and delivers critical services, like behavioral healthcare services. The proposed sales tax is a strategic tool to keep these services alive while we work together to change Federal policy. At the Law Foundation, we work with thousands of people everyday who depend on these essential services. Without action, these closures will cost lives. This is a moment that demands bold local leadership. I'm grateful that this County is once again stepping up to support this measure. We'll be with you.
Kira Kazantzis, CEO, Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits
Our nonprofit community knows that community members we serve will be incredibly harmed by a damaged healthcare system. H.R. 1 presents also a direct threat to the general fund that funds so many of our critical safety-net services. SVCN will be activating our membership and contributing our financial resources to make sure we push this measure over the line. We ask kindly for your "YES" vote on the item. (59:58)
Dolores Morales, President, CEMA
I'm here today to also share with you that I am also a DAWN member. Recently DAWN convened community facilitation made up of South County residents, women, educators, private sector attorneys. They were asked to join us to hear their deepest fears - what's happening at the local level, state level, federal level - and we had over one hundred issues brought up. One that was lifted and that was a priority was how do we fund social services, our network, including healthcare? Today you have an opportunity to allow our voters to be a part of that solution. We hope that you vote "YES." (1:00:37)
Jeremy Barousse, Director of Policy and Organizing,
Amigos de Guadalupe Center for Justice and Empowerment
It's been echoed, the County has a rich history of being a national leader for the most vulnerable populations. Amigos de Guadalupe serves our most vulnerable families with interim housing, rental assistance, and immigration legal services. With everything going on in our community today, immigrant families we work with who are afraid to leave their homes out of fear of being separated. On top of that, dealing with food insecurity and high cost of living, exacerbating issues related to physical and mental health. By putting the sales tax on the ballot today, you'll be sending a message to our families that they are not alone. (1:01:28)
I fully support the County's ballot measure because it is truly a community-led solution to an urgent problem that impacts all of us. Drastic cuts to Federal funding has pushed Santa Clara County into a budget shortfall of more than $1 Billion, which will devastate our communities' public health system. This sales tax increase amounts to less than a penny per dollar spent, but its impact will be massive - least $350 Million in annual funding to ensure that our critical public health services remain in place. (1:02:32)
I am here to speak as the head of the organization as well as a long-time Santa Clara County resident in the past and someone who is also the President of the South Bay Labor Council. I couldn't be prouder of this Board and our community for standing up for what is right. They are stealing this money. This is the largest transfer of wealth from the working class people to the ultra rich, and it's going to hurt our community. Standing up and doing a measure and trying to find our own revenue that stays right here in Santa Clara County, that keeps our hospitals open, that keeps our vulnerable population supported, that keeps the children fed, is absolutely critical. We are here with this measure. We look forward to moving it. I applaud you for doing what's right. (1:03:36)
We're one of the seven emergency agencies who together cover all the zip codes of Santa Clara County. I am also a resident of District 3. Sunnyvale Community Services is adding our support and endorsement for this proposed sales tax ballot measure. As one of the emergency assistance network agencies, we see firsthand everyday how low-income families, seniors, are struggling to meet their basic needs. They'll go without medical care or dental care to pay rent to stay housed. The cuts to Medicaid and other Federal programs have already hurt the most in need. The cuts to food stamps, the withholding of food for emergency food and assistance programs are hitting everybody here. We are very very committed to helping people understand healthcare as a basic human right. We endorse this. (1:05:05)
I served in public office in my town. I am just incredulous that this meeting today is being held in the middle of the afternoon when most people are working or at meetings. I'd like to ask that if you are talking about something as important as a tax revenue measure that this be offered at a time when folks can actually participate. I have no problem with the advocacy groups that have come forward today, but this is not public participation in the middle of the day. (1:06:16)
Prop 13 has been around for forty-six years and it's been coincidental with the largest growth in California's insured healthcare. Forty-six years, 95% of Californians are insured. It's disingenuous to hold Prop 13 up as some sort of Roman horse. It would be nice if this did something for healthcare, but it's not dedicated. It could be used for anything. The Los Altos online had an article, half the County's budget was healthcare, and $3 Billion deficit was what was outstanding. The fiscal year starts October 1 Federally. You've had six months to get this done and you're bringing up a last minute dead of night 24-hour tax measure here. You can do better. Plan better. If venture capital people were to come to us at the last minute saying 'we don't have the money' we know they are about to go bankrupt. (1:07:57)
Thousands of residents in Morgan Hill, including those in the neighborhood where I live, face the reality that if they ever need to dial 911 because they need emergency medical assistance, the risk that the time for emergency response to arrive will be far below the generally accepted standard if that call was place during peak traffic hours, ... (1:09:00)
End of Public Comments
County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg (District 4)
(1:10:18)
County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga (District 5)
(1:14:45)
County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas (District 1)
(1:32:02)
County Supervisor Betty Duong (District 2)
(1:52:43)
County Supervisor Otto Lee (District 3)
(1:55:57)
Comments