Tobacco Measure Could Affect Budget, County Says

Ventura County would have to cut $18.4 million from its next budget if voters approve Measure O, an initiative sponsored by Community Memorial Hospital that would transfer $260 million in tobacco settlement money from the county to seven private local hospitals, officials said Friday.

The Board of Supervisors had asked the county auditor to determine the financial impact on the county if the initiative passed in November.

The auditor’s office said the county’s budget for fiscal year 2000-01 includes $15.3 million in tobacco money that would be used for health programs.

The county spent $3.1 million in tobacco money last fiscal year.

The auditor said that if Measure O passes, the county would lose the $15.3 million and have to reimburse the general fund for the $3.1 million it has already spent. That money went toward paying off a fine levied on the county after it was accused of making fraudulent Medicare claims.

The auditor’s report will be included in the sample ballot sent out to voters.

Deputy County Chief Administrative Officer Marty Robinson said that if the county gets the tobacco settlement money, it will go back into the community through health programs.

“It wouldn’t subsidize private and so-called nonprofit institutions,” Robinson said, adding that the public would know where the money was going.

But Mark Barnhill, spokesman for Community Memorial, said the report was misleading and a “partisan political document masquerading as impartial analysis.”

He said the county would not have to reduce expenditures because it doesn’t have the tobacco money yet.

“They are basing this on a hypothetical thing they want to do in the future,” Barnhill said. “I think the people of Ventura County will see through this. It’s shameful.”

Community Memorial has spent $520,000 so far in its fight to get the initiative on the ballot.

An anti-initiative coalition has been protesting in front of hospitals and plans more campaigns in the next few weeks.

Neil Andrews, campaign manager for the Coalition Against Measure O, called the measure a “deceptive, self-serving proposal.”

“We know if the voters are told the truth they will vote against this CMH proposal,” he said.