As the only public hospital in San Francisco, ZSFG serves on in eight San Franciscans each year, the majority of whom rely on publicly funded health insurance to access care. With the recent announcements of potential cuts to vital public health agencies, it became evident that what happens at the federal level will have an immediate effect on the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors in the Bay Area.

In June, Foundation CEO Kim Meredith traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with local representatives on Capitol Hill. During meetings with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Kevin Mullin, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, Congressman Jimmy Panetta, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, Congressman Mike Thompson, and Senator Adam Schiff, Meredith shared the Foundation and Hospital’s mission to care for the patients most likely to be affected by these proposed cuts. Each visit reaffirmed a shared commitment to preserving essential programs like Medicaid, NIH funding, vaccination programs, and health care for all.

As a key supporter, the Foundation’s mission is to stand behind our city’s public hospital. In this moment, that means more than a financial investment in equity and innovation at ZSFG—it means taking a stand for access to health care for all. We can all play an active part in meeting the moment by urging our members of Congress to act in the best interest of public health. Thank you for being partners in this mission.