Kesha Hodge-Washington

Submitted photo

As the city councilwoman for Phoenix District 8, I am proud to support Proposition 409. Voting yes on Prop 409 will allow Valleywise Health, the only public safety-net health care system in Maricopa County, to modernize its aging infrastructure and meet the growing health needs of our community.

Our community needs this critical investment. Our state currently ranks near the bottom in multiple health system performance categories, such as 44th in access and affordability and 41st in prevention and treatment. Prop 409 will fund essential upgrades: expanding pediatric and primary care, building a new 200-bed behavioral health hospital, creating a modern outpatient specialty center, growing emergency services at Valleywise Medical Center and enhancing physician training.

The data tells us that too many residents lack access to a consistent health care provider. Expanding pediatric and primary care capacity will improve access, reduce unnecessary emergency visits and support healthier families.

Valleywise’s current behavioral health facility is more than 50 years old and no longer meets today’s demands. A new hospital will expand access to mental health and substance use treatment, aiding in our response to the growing behavioral health crisis. Building a new outpatient specialty center will allow patients to receive seamless coordinated care and reduce long wait times for specialty services. This is especially important in a region where many residents face transportation and access barriers.

Valleywise has a proven track record. The last bond funded a new hospital and expanded health centers across the county. Prop 409 will continue that progress, responsibly investing in the infrastructure we urgently need. This bond will modernize vital health care infrastructure, expand access to care, improve health outcomes and ensure a strong medical workforce for years to come.

Vote yes on Prop 409 to support accessible, modern and equitable health care for all.

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