Previously, people living in South County\u2019s rural communities might have had to drive 35 miles north \u2013 an hour each way depending on traffic \u2013 to receive these services in San Jose. This wasn\u2019t just problematic for older patients relying on others for transportation or working families with tight schedules. The long distance encouraged people to put off important medical visits to stay on top of worsening health issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been underserved and overlooked, and this kind of care that we\u2019re celebrating today is exciting and something we deserve as a community,\u201d District 1 Supervisor Sylvia Arenas said at a news conference outside St. Louise, where local officials and hospital leaders gathered to announce the expansion. \u201cIf you have a parent, sibling or relative with some heart condition \u2014 you know minutes matter, seconds matter. We want to make sure you don\u2019t have to drive an hour to San Jose or somewhere else to get the kind of services you deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n
The South County service expansion means doctors can diagnose, monitor and more effectively treat aortic aneurysms, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, heart rhythm disorders and valvular heart disease.<\/p>\n
New electrocardiograms services will measure electrical activity to show heart rate and possible abnormalities. Echocardiograms will be available to provide an ultrasound of the heart and measure pumping strength and valve function. Patients will have the ability to wear monitoring patches to assess heart rhythm. And doctors will be able to monitor heart rhythm and blood pressure by having patients run on treadmills.<\/p>\n
The expansion marks a health care milestone in the wake of devastating future federal funding cuts <\/a>. Santa Clara County voters last year approved an 11th hour five-eighths-cent sales tax increase<\/a>, known as Measure A, to bring the county hospitals an extra $330 million annually. This is the result of President Donald Trump\u2019s July signing of H.R. 1, which slashes $1 billion a year<\/a> from the county budget.<\/p>\n The announcement comes after a series of hospital purchases over the last seven years, making Santa Clara County the state\u2019s second largest public hospital system. The county most recently purchased<\/a> and restored services at Regional Medical Center last year, after years of service cuts under corporate ownership that threatened to turn East San Jose into a health desert. Before that, in 2019, officials purchased and saved three other hospitals<\/a> on the verge of closure \u2014 O\u2019Connor Hospital in San Jose, St. Louise and De Paul Health Center in Morgan Hill.<\/p>\n \u201cHeart health really matters no matter where you live in Santa Clara County,\u201d St. Louise Physician Executive Olivia Lee said at the news conference. \u201cThis is foundational cardiovascular care \u2014 essential services done well, made accessible and closer to all of us.\u201d Gilroy Mayor Greg Bozzo said the need is great. He and his wife have parents 82 and 85 years old, who unexpectedly checked into the hospital multiple times in the past few years. The same goes for his adopted son, who found himself at the hospital\u2019s emergency department three times in less than two years.<\/p>\n \u201cI appreciate the resources coming down here to South County,\u201d Bozzo said at the news conference. \u201cThere was a mention earlier that sometimes resources don\u2019t get here.\u201d<\/p>\n Bozzo then gestured to the county officials beside him.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you for acknowledging that. Because we do agree with that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n![\"Keep](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767833527_487_interactive-184632509590.png\")
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