Sequoia Hospital District formation Election
Nov. 5, 1946
Question posed to the voters.

1.  Formation of Sequoia Hospital District.  Shall the proposed hospital district be formed in the area of San Mateo County, State of California, as described by Resolution No. 2202 of the Board of Supervisors of said County, adopted on June 5, 1946, and designated therein as "Sequoia Hospital District"?  YES___NO___

1. What is the proposal on the ballot?
A. To organize and incorporate a Sequoia Hospital District, identical with the boundaries of Sequoia Union High School District excepting that the Ravenswood School District and the University Park section of Menlo Park would be left out. In other words, the hospital district would include all that area between the Southern San Mateo County line and the northern Belmont city limits, excepting for the Ravenswood and University Park areas.
2. How much will the present proposition cost a taxpayer?
A- Nothing. The present proposal is merely to create a disrict. Erection of a hospital will come later, and if the board of directors decides that a bond issue should be used for financing, that will have to be approved at a subsequent election by a two-thirds majority vote of the people.
3. Why is a new hospital needed?
A, The need for additional hospital facilities in this area has become acute. It has reached the point where, because of a shortage of hospital beds, physicians are required to care for seriously ill patients at home when hospitalization should be had. A. survey made over a year ago by Dr. Thomas R. Ponton of Chicago showed that "there is a definite need for a hospital" in this district and that "this need will increase steadily as the years pass."
4, Who will govern the hospital district?
A- if the hospital district plan is approved, the county supervisors will appoint a board of five directors, to serve without pay, who draw lots for short terms until the next general election two years later. The remaining three will serve until the general elction two years later. Thereafter the term of each director is four years. This board will have control of the hospital district, its powers being defined under the Local Hospital District Law.
5. What is the population of this district?
A. About 55.000. This is a growth of approximately 20,000 nce the 1940 census was taken. During this time there has been Increase in hospital facilities on the Peninsula.
6. What is the assessed valuation of this district?
A. $42,703,275.
7. Why should the hospital district be so large?
A. The hospital would be patronized by all the people in a Sequoia district; therefore they should have a share in its support and development. Besides, the district could afford a better larger hospital than one single community, thereby providing better facilities for all.
8. Where will the hospital be located?
A. No site has been selected. That will be up to the board of directors. Four to six acres of land are believed adequate, and it is felt by the committee they should be in a suburban location..
9. How big will the hospital be?
A. That will be decided by the board of directors. A hospital with an ultimate capacity of about 150 beds has been recommended by a study committee, but room for only 50 to 75 beds is expected to be built at first. A hospital with a capacity of 3 beds per 1000 population to considered necessary to meet the needs for the care of acute illnesses.
10. How much will a hospital cost?
A. That will depend on the size and on building costs at the time of construction.   Palo Alto Hospital's first unit of 80 beds cost $325,000 in 1931 completely equipped. Its second unit of 80 beds cost $248.818 in 1940, equipped.
11. How would a hospital be paid for?
A. The law authorises an assessment of act to exceed 20 cents per $100 of assessed valuation of the property in the its' trial for construction, maintenance and operation. It also authorizes the issuance of bonds (by a two-thirds majority vote of the people) for the acquisition, operation and maintenance of the hospital.
12. Are any federal or state funds available for helping finance cost of construction of a hospital?
A. It appears that the district would be eligible under the Hospital Survey and Construction Act (Public Law 725) for a grant from the federal government of one-third of the construction costs.
13. How much will the hospital cost a taxpayer?
A. It the full amount of the tax permitted were levied. the cost to an individual taxpayer can be fiqured by multiplying his assessed valuation by 20 cents per $100 valuation. For a home assessed by the county at $3000 (with present day market value of $10,000 to $15,000) this cost at the most would be $8 a year. Actually. It is believed that a 10-cent per $100 tax would be sufficient to cover costs. This would cost such a property owner $3 a year.
14. Will a Sequoia district hospital be self-supporting?
A. It should be. Pato Alto Hospital's annual profit has ranged from $20,00 to nearly $50,000.
15. Why should not private interests erect a hospital?
A. That would be ideal, but no private interests have been found who would do that. Besides hospitals are considered in the category of public institutions such as public schools. As such, it is a generally recognized practice that these institutions should be maintained by the people they serve.
16. When would the hospital be built?
A. That would depend on a number of things, but it would doubtless be well into 1947 before construction could be started. First, a board of directors would have to be appointed. This beard would then select a site, determine size of the hospital, have an architect draw up plans and make cost estimates, A bond election would then have to be held, or other means of financing determinined
17. Isn't It likely that Pale Alto or Mills hospitals may enlarge their facilities?
A. This may be done, but such additions could not be completed very soon, perhaps not for several years, and even if they were, they would still not provide hospital facilities any nearer at hand than those available now.
18. What would be the rates in the new hospital?
A. The rates would be set by the board of directors It has been the intention of the committee that rates would be similar to those in effect in other hospitals of a similar nature.
19. Will it be necessary for persons now served by doctors in other districts to change physicians in order to use the hospital?
A. No. It is the intention of the hospital committee that doctors on' the staffs of Palo Alto and Mills hospitals will be extended the courtesy of the proposed hospital and be eligible for election to the Sequoia Hospital staff.
20. Would residents of this district get lower rates than outsiders?
A. That would be up to the board of directors. The hospital committee's intention has been that residents of the district would be given a preferential rate similar to that in effect in Palo Alto Hospital, where residents of that city are granted a $2.50 per day reduction for a period of up to 27, days' stay in the hospital in any 12 months. Such a plan is permitted under the hospital district law.
21. Would the hospital take indigent cases free of charge, as is now done by he county-owned Community Hospital at San Mateo?
A. No. The hospital would not replace any public institution, but would be comparable to Palo Alto Hospital or Mills Memorial Hospital in San Mateo.
22. How many hospital patients are there per month from the Sequoia district?
A. Exact figures are not available. but a recent check-up showed that. about 60 patients a day were hospitalized in Palo Alto and Mills hospitals from this district.
23. How will the hospital directly benefit residents of the Sequoia district?
A. By making more hospital beds available. By making hospital facilities available closer to the homes of residents of this area. For those who have relatives or friends in the hospital. this will mean a saving of time and mileage on visits.  It also would make hospital facilities available in this district in the case of emergencies. For business men, it will mean many purchases in this area by hospital visitors, nurses, doctors, and other employes which are now made in San Mateo, Palo Alto or other cities where hospitals are located. It is estimated a 75-bed hospitol would bring employment of 115 to 125 persons with a payroll of $250,000 annually, that food and supplies purchased locally would approximate $100,000 a year; that a dozen special nurses receiving about $38,500 a year would be needed; and that the hospital would attract additional doctors. In addition, it would save much time for doctors who now must drive to other hospitals, thereby making more of their time available for the treatment of patients.
24. Who is supporting or actively campaigning for creation of this hospital district?
A. Thirty-five organisations from Menlo park to San Carlos passed resolutions favoring the district. These resolutions were filed with the county supervisors before the public hearing at which the election dale was set. In addition, about 5000 individuals signed petitions asking for an election on the district proposal, and it is supported fully by the Sequoia District Medical Society, composed of 31 Physicians in this area.