In today's newscast:
Prop. 44 brings stricter rules for health clinic spending
Californians are voting on Proposition 44, a measure that would create new rules for how community clinics spend their revenue.
The measure is sponsored by one of the state’s major health worker unions, SEIU United Health Care Workers West. The union says Prop. 44 will help ensure clinics are spending more on patient care and less on executive pay.
If the proposition passes, certain low-income clinics would be required to spend 90% of their revenue on “program services.” Clinics that don’t would be subject to penalties.
The measure directs the attorney general to publish guidance on what qualifies as "program services," but many clinics worry that it’s not already spelled out in the proposition.
Dr. Maximiliano Cuevas leads the Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas in Monterey County.
“The number one cost is our staff, the next cost is the buildings that you're in,” said Cuevas.
He worries that if the measure passes, the clinic could get fined for those expenses.
Monterey jail reopens after ICE incidents
The Monterey County Jail went on a three-hour lockdown starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday while Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were present in the parking lot.
The Solidarity Network Monterey County had reported ICE presence intermittently outside the jail since Monday.
The group confirmed two arrests near the jail—one Monday, the other Tuesday.
After Tuesday’s board meeting, Monterey County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew joined about 100 people near the jail parking lot.
" I think it's reassuring to me to see our community stand up, to tell ICE that they are not welcome in this community," she said.
She says the agents left around 6:30 p.m.
ICE did not respond to KAZU’s request for comment.
