GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER ENDORSES PROPOSITION 3

Children's Hospital Bond will provide needed funds to regional and UC Children's Hospitals for essential expansion, renovation and medical technology

10/29/2008

Sacramento--California's Children's Hospitals are proud to announce that today Governor Schwarzenegger has endorsed Proposition 3--the Children's Hospital Bond.

With revenues dedicated exclusively to Children's Hospitals, Proposition 3 will authorize $980 million to allow the State Treasurer to make grants to the eight regional, not-for-profit Children's Hospitals and the five University of California Children's Hospitals to renovate and expand and to purchase medical equipment for the treatment of the most seriously ill and injured children in the State.

Governor Schwarzenegger joins a strong bi-partisan group of healthcare leaders, public policy and children's advocates, business and economic leaders, and elected officials who support Proposition 3 including U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, former Governor Pete Wilson, California Chamber of Commerce, California Business Roundtable, League of Women Voters of California, American Academy of Pediatrics, California, California Nurses Association, California Medical Association, California Teacher's Association, California PTA, Children's Defense Fund, and many others.

"California's Children's Hospitals are honored to have Governor Schwarzenegger's endorsement of Proposition 3 - the Children's Hospital Bond," said Diana Dooley, President and CEO of the California Children's Hospital Association. "Leaders from every sector and across the political spectrum have joined to help the most seriously ill and injured children in California."

According to Dooley, escalating construction costs, as well as the rising population of California children, have created critical capacity challenges for the Children's Hospitals. "Planned and necessary expansion projects will cost hundreds of millions of dollars," said Dooley. "Proposition 3 is a public-private partnership that fosters both public funding and private philanthropy to save lives," she added. "More than one million times each year, children with special needs are treated at Children's Hospitals. Many are transferred from other hospitals that don't have the resources to treat them. More children need services at Children's Hospitals than there is room to provide. Without additional capital investment in medical equipment and facilities, Children's Hospitals simply will not be able to meet the needs of the State's expanding pediatric population."

California's Children's Hospitals treat the most serious and life-threatening diseases like childhood leukemia, cancer, heart problems, sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis. "People often express their admiration for Children's Hospitals and their respect for the life-saving work of our physicians and nurses. Please make this admiration meaningful by voting "Yes" on Proposition 3" said Dooley. Visit us at www.ImagineWithUs.org for more information. 

Contact:
CONTACT: John Galbraith
916/552-7118