A New Initiative to Fund San Francisco's Healthcare Through the Overpaid CEO Act

A Fresh Initiative for San Francisco's Healthcare

In a proactive move, a coalition comprising IFPTE Local 21, SEIU Local 1021, SEIU Local 2015, among other progressive organizations, has announced the commencement of a signature-gathering campaign aimed at qualifying the "Overpaid CEO Act" for the June 2026 ballot. This act is designed to enhance funding for San Francisco's critical public health services, including hospitals, clinics, and in-home support services, all of which are under threat due to proposed cuts from the Trump administration.

City officials estimate that President Trump's recent legislative proposals, specifically the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," could detract as much as $400 million from the city’s budget, severely impacting essential services like healthcare, nutrition, and education. Assemblymember Matt Haney voiced the concerns of many residents, asserting, "Trump's proposed cuts to Medicaid and other federal programs threaten to devastate our local budget and place enormous pressure on San Francisco's public hospitals and clinics. San Franciscans will not sit back while Donald Trump attacks our most vulnerable neighbors."

The coalition's campaign kickoff is set for Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the SEIU 1021 Union Hall located at 350 Rhode Island St., Suite 100. Attendees can expect speeches from notable local leaders, including Assemblymember Haney and Supervisor Chyanne Chen, alongside an opportunity for volunteers to receive training on how to collect signatures effectively.

Volunteers articulate a shared enthusiasm for contributing to a campaign that inherently opposes the Trump agenda while championing local health initiatives. Jason Negron-Gonzales, an emergency room registered nurse at San Francisco General Hospital, expressed, "This is about ensuring a healthy future for our city. We're stepping up for our hospitals, our clinics, and for every San Franciscan whose coverage is at risk. The Overpaid CEO Act makes me hopeful for a way forward."

Critics of the Trump administration highlight the economic disparities exacerbated by recent corporate tax breaks that have disproportionately benefited wealthy executives at the expense of essential social programs. Julie Fisher, a caregiver in the in-home support system, stated, "Trump gave away massive corporate tax breaks and paid for it with the largest Medicaid cut in US history. The Overpaid CEO Act says you're not getting away with that in San Francisco. We're going to make the largest corporations pay their fair share of taxes so we can keep delivering the care our patients and recipients need."

The success of this initiative relies on the collection of approximately 10,500 signatures, a figure representing 2% of registered voters in San Francisco. Campaign leaders have pledged to mobilize volunteers and engage with the community through street advocacy over the coming months to ensure their voices are heard.

The proposed Overpaid CEO Act would impose a modest surcharge on large corporations whose top executives earn more than 100 times the average salary of their employees. This surcharge would exclusively target companies with over 1,000 staff members and annual revenues exceeding $1 billion, distinguishing it from small businesses and working families who would be exempt from this act. Projections suggest that this measure could generate upwards of $200 million annually, contributing significantly to the City's General Fund while bolstering mental health initiatives, healthcare facilities, and emergency response services.

In a show of solidarity, endorsements for this initiative are growing rapidly among local leaders, including Assemblymember Matt Haney and several city Supervisors. The support also extends from various labor and community organizations like SEIU Local 2015, IFPTE Local 21, and many others.

This campaign encapsulates a broader sentiment among San Francisco's residents—an urgent need to safeguard public services against federal cuts while holding large corporations accountable for their fair share in funding essential community resources. As this initiative gains momentum, it embodies a collective commitment to protecting the welfare of all citizens and fostering a healthy, equitable future for San Francisco.

Join the movement and learn how you can contribute to the signature-gathering efforts as we fight for the Overpaid CEO Act, a pivotal step towards securing essential resources for San Francisco's most vulnerable populations.