San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed and Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin today announced they have worked to fully fund the needed capital repairs for Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) and Laguna Honda Hospital (LHH) to better serve over 100,000 individuals annually that receive primary, emergency, long-term, and mental health care within San Francisco’s healthcare system.
Through the legislative process, the Mayor will reprioritize $10 million within the Healthy, Safe and Vibrant San Francisco Bond proposal to allocate a total of $66 million towards critical infrastructure repairs at these two hospitals, as well as an additional $38.56 million investment for these two hospitals in Mayor Breed’s proposed budget, which was submitted on May 31, 2024. With these changes, President Peskin has signed on as a co-sponsor of the Bond, joining Supervisors Ronen, Mandelman, Melgar, Stefani, Dorsey, and Engardio.
The bond and the budget will fund over $104.5 million in capital improvements to ensure the safety and continuity of services and mitigate critical facility infrastructure issues that could impact ZSFG and Laguna Honda’s ability to maintain licensing, certification, and regulatory compliance as well as provide safe, efficient, and top-level care for thousands of individuals annually. Deferring these repairs will escalate costs and can lead to failures in our public health infrastructure.
“We know how important healthcare facilities like Laguna Honda Hospital are for San Francisco and the many patients and families it serves. The City has worked too hard to ensure continuity of services across our system of care, and we cannot let up on the significant progress we are making,” said Mayor London Breed. “This is a difficult budget cycle we are again facing, so it is critical that we utilize every resource available to us to invest in the necessary healthcare infrastructure improvements to protect our public health safety net – thousands of patients rely on it for top-tier care. I thank the Board of Supervisors for their support of my proposed budget and bond investments. This is how we build a healthier, stronger San Francisco.”
“Addressing long-deferred public health & safety capital infrastructure work has long been my top priority as an engaged member of the Capital Planning Committee, particularly coming out of the teachable moment of the pandemic,” said Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin. “Solving for adult psych facilities at S.F. General, a new Chinatown Public Health Center and City Clinic, and Laguna Honda Hospital renovations are not only equally critical but a testament to what the City can accomplish when we work collaboratively to creatively solve funding problems. I’m proud to move this package forward to the voters for consideration.”
In April, Mayor Breed proposed the Healthy, Safe and Vibrant San Francisco bond measure that will invest $205 million in ensuring safe, resilient, and accessible public health infrastructure. This includes renovating and expanding the Chinatown Health Clinic, which has more than 10,000 patient visits annually being served in a culturally competent manner, 80% of whom speak Cantonese, Mandarin, or Toishanese as a primary language. The bond will also invest in San Francisco City Clinic, which has served the community for over 100 years, including providing sexual-health services and support for LGTBQ+ individuals and women.
Investing in improved service delivery and ensuring these institutions remain available to San Francisco residents is vital to addressing the City’s health and vibrancy. These crucial investments by Mayor Breed will ensure San Francisco can better meet the healthcare needs of our community in modern facilities that meet federal regulatory operating requirements and replace and update facilities that are in some cases, more than 100 years old.
As proposed by Mayor Breed, the $390 million bond funding would be spread across four main categories:
- Strengthening public health infrastructure projects like Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Laguna Honda Hospital, Chinatown Health Clinic and San Francisco City Clinic
- Investing in shelter and housing for homeless families
- Delivering street safety improvements and road repaving citywide
- Supporting public space and park improvements projects, like Harvey Milk Plaza, Hallidie Plaza, and more
Additionally, the Mayor’s proposed two-year budget for Fiscal Years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 continues to prioritize funding to improve and expand medical services, including mental and behavioral health services, expanded funding for street response, navigation services, medication-assisted treatment, piloting new, culturally congruent substance use treatment initiatives, and sober living housing.
The Bond has been formally introduced at the Board of Supervisors, where it would need eight votes for approval. It was approved by the Capital Planning Committee. If ultimately passed by the full Board of Supervisors with the necessary eight votes, it will go on the November ballot where it will need the approval of two-thirds of the voters.
Beginning next week, the Board of Supervisors Budget and Appropriations Committee will hold hearings and review the City’s two-year budget, before ultimately forwarding it to the full Board for approval. The deadline for the Mayor to sign the fully approved budget is by August 1, 2024.
Support for Mayor Breed’s Proposed Bond
“This is critical to ensure Zuckerberg San Francisco General remains ready for any health care crisis that comes our way, as well as be ready every day to serve the Bay Area as a Level One Trauma Center,” said Chief Medical Officer Gabriel M. Ortiz, MD, PhD, Zuckerberg San Francisco General. “Both the proposed budget and bond will improve and expand medical and mental health services, while making vital improvements that will allow ZSFG to remain the top world class healthcare facility we are today.”
"The Mayor's proposed budget and bond exhibits the City's commitment to patient-centered services with a focus on serving limited or non-English speaking patients, immigrants and low-income residents," said Anni Chung, President and CEO of Self Help for the Elderly. "Resources that provide medical and mental health services, as well as on-site languages to the Chinese American community, must be protected, enhanced, and integrated to strengthen healthy community connections."
"As a small business owner on Powell Street who depends on walk-in traffic, these potential investments in the public realm downtown are very heartening," said Lauren Ellis, owner of CK Contemporary Gallery. "I look forward to beautification, pedestrian safety and a general upswing in the environment downtown!"
"Powell Street stands as the crown jewel of Union Square, a vibrant entryway to San Francisco for countless travelers," said Marisa Rodriguez, CEO of the Union Square Alliance. "With all roads converging here and the iconic cable car traversing its path, it embodies the essence of our city's allure. Through these strategic investments, we envision a rejuvenated district, beckoning visitors and locals to engage in commerce, exploration, and community once more."
" This bond will literally save lives. By investing in better infrastructures for us to be able to continue delivering healthcare services, we are investing in a healthier San Francisco,” said Franco Chevalier, Deputy Medical Director at San Francisco City Clinic. “The people of San Francisco deserve healthcare facilities that can meet federal licensing and operating requirements in order to continue to deliver excellent care to those who seek our services."
"As a worldwide ambassador for San Francisco and our values, Harvey is the ideal person to be celebrated by our city, and in our city,” said Cleve Jones, an LGBT Human Rights Activist and founder of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. “This bond measure will make possible the Memorial at Harvey Milk Plaza, so that it can be a beacon to others all over the world; its very existence will give hope to people who need it. And it is my hope that it inspires others all across the world to become a hero in their own communities, because the world needs a lot more people like my friend, Harvey Milk."
"The Mayor’s proposed budget and bond reconfirms her commitment to reinforce and expand services that make healthcare more accessible for patients,” said Honey Mahogany, Director of the Office of Transgender initiatives. “It is facilities such as City Clinic that keep San Franciscans safe and healthy, while highlighting the City's commitment to the overall wellness of our residents."
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