HEALTH CARE

Access to adequate health care services for those in need must be a top priority. Above all else, I will fight to protect our community health centers—including the Maxine Hall Health Center—from any budget cuts. In fact, I will seek additional funding for these the Community Health Network centers as well as for our mental health facilities.

Community Health Network - During this year's budget hearings, I attended and spoke up at a town hall meeting on the budget. I had two minutes to say whatever I wanted to say on any item in the budget. I chose to use my two minutes to urge the Board not to cut any funding for the Maxine Hall Community Health Center and other community health network centers in our city--as well as preserve funding for our vital mental health services throughout the city.

When I was a staff supervisor at the City College John Adams Campus, I would visit the Maxine Hall Center and invite them to participate in the annual Community Health Fairs that I organized. These health centers are a vital part of our city's effort to medically serve those in need. I will fight hard to protect funding for these facilities.

Mental Health Services - We need to protect funding for the City's mental health services and start to provide 24-hour access to psychiatric care and services for our homeless population. Providing mental health care can go a long way in addressing the related issues of homelessness, health, and job training.

General Hospital - I am a strong supporter of the likely bond measure in 2006 to re-build S.F. General Hospital. In fact, I'm the only candidate in D5 who has been consistently bringing this up at candidates' nights. We need to improve the public's confidence and trust in City Hall so more voters will support this vital bond proposal.

Laguna Honda - I support the re-build on the Laguna Honda facility. I oppose efforts to substantially change the mission of Laguna Honda Hospital.

Safety Net - I want to re-emphasize that if we are to consider ourselves a fair and compassionate city, we must provide health care coverage and service for those most in need. Anything less is a failure.

Children's Environmental Health - I intend to be a leader on the Board when it comes to environmental health issues relating to children. I actively campaigned in favor of the ballot measure to require MUNI to get its older dirty diesel buses off the road. I currently work on diesel-related environmental health issues at the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Smoking - Cigarette Smoking, including second-hand smoke, is still one of the most serious threats to the public's health today. I support additional anti-smoking proposals that would make it more difficult to smoke in public places, as well as restrictions on smoking in privately-owned facilities--especially where children are present. I support Supervisor Alioto-Pier’s proposed legislation to prohibit smokers from smoking in city parks and outdoor recreation areas. Additionally, I believe that smoking in a car while children are passengers is child abuse, and must be stopped.

Universal Health Care – I am a supporter of instituting some type of universal health care for our residents. At first, I will make sure that every child in our city has access to quality health care services—regardless of income or family situation.

State and Local Ballot Propositions - I support state propositions 63, 67, and 72. I also wrote a paid ballot argument in favor of Proposition G.

DAN KALB
The Experienced Leader We Need to Make
City Government Work Better for
District 5 Residents and All San Franciscans

DAN KALB for Supervisor 5
912 Cole Street, #252, San Francisco, CA 94117
415/753-0137
fppc #1265026