Commentary
From now until Nov. 8, voters in Hamilton County can head to the polls to choose government leaders and decide on several important local ballot issues. One issue in particular – Issue 8, the Health and Hospitalization Levy – will not raise taxes and will help families cared for at UC Medical Center and Cincinnati Children’s regardless of their ability to pay and who otherwise would go untreated.
Hamilton County voters have been supportive and generous in approving this levy since it first appeared on the ballot in 1966. A portion of the dollars support patients needing medically necessary services at the only adult Level 1 trauma center in our community, UC Medical Center, and our only pediatric Level 1 trauma center, Cincinnati Children’s. Level 1 means these hospitals have highly trained healthcare experts, including specialists in emergency medicine and trauma surgery who can care for the most severely injured or ill children or adults.
It’s also important to note that UC Medical Center and Cincinnati Children’s are the two healthcare safety net hospitals serving the uninsured and under-insured in our community.
Your support will help patients access vital healthcare services, including mental health treatment, dental care, and help with managing chronic conditions such as diabetes. Without this levy support, many families would struggle to get the care they need.
Please vote YES on Issue 8. It will not raise taxes, but it will support your friends and neighbors who may someday need the services of UC Medical Center and/or Cincinnati Children’s. Thank you.
Signed:
Evaline Alessandrini, MD, chief operating officer, Cincinnati Children’s
Rob Wiehe, executive vice president and chief operating officer for hospital operations, UC Health