Health Care Districts Holding onto Funds While Sick Go Untreated

At a time when the uninsured had to wait a year to be seen by a doctor, The Bay Citizen uncovered that California's Health Care Districts are hoarding funds which should be used for caring for needy patients. The Peninsula Health Care District, funded by tax-payers, held onto a $43 million reserve, but when San Mateo County officials requested $4 million for subsidized health care, the district refused. Why? Through their investigation, The Bay Citizen discovered that The Peninsula Health Care District and many similar districts stockpile funds and divert money to operating expenses, including lawyers, election fees, and members who earn lifetime benefits for part-time work.