Sequoia Hospital's future worries county officials Sequoia Hospital's future worries county officials (December 24, 2003)

San Mateo County officials are watching with concern as the drama over the future of Sequoia Hospital plays on.

At Supervisor Jerry Hill's urging, the county last week created a task force to study the matter and conduct community meetings to alert the public.

"One of the issues to look at is feasibility," Mr. Hill told the Almanac. Estimating that the three planned hospital projects -- Sequoia, Palo Alto Medical Foundation/Sutter group and Kaiser -- could run up price tags totaling $1.5 billion, he noted that, in the case of Sequoia Hospital, some of that money will be out of taxpayers' pockets. "Is that a responsible thing to do," he asked. "Is that intelligent? Is that good planning?"

The task force, which will also include supervisors Rich Gordon and Rose Jacobs Gibson, will "create the community conversation that so far has not been heard," Mr. Hill said. "The community conversation has been limited to basic land-use questions ... rather than the more important question that revolves around health care."

Supervisor Hill said he is concerned that if the Palo Alto Medical Foundation/Sutter group builds the San Carlos facility it hopes to and Sequoia doesn't survive, nearly the entire county would be left with two choices for medical care: Kaiser and Sutter.

"I do feel that the decisions that are made in the near future will affect health care in this county for many decades to come," he said.

The task force, which will also include representatives of South County cities, will begin meeting in January, and its work should be wrapped up in 90 days, Mr. Hill said.

Renee Batti

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