Candidates for elected city offices were all asked the same questions by the Bexar County Medical Society and have
submitted answers to those questions as shown below.
This information is provided as a service from the Bexar County Medical Society, but is not an endorsement.
BCMS does not make endorsements of any candidates for office nor of elected officials.
John Velasquez
This information is provided as a service from the Bexar County Medical Society, but is not an endorsement.
BCMS does not make endorsements of any candidates for office nor of elected officials.
John Velasquez
Mayoral candidate
2017 Mayoral/City Council Candidates
Health Care Questions
1. Despite
affecting everyone in this community, "community health
and wellness" has not been a big priority at City Hall. "Community
health and wellness" had one third of the ranking that "streets"
received in community input via SpeakUPSanAntonio. Yet it impacts our well
being, workforce, economic development and the prosperity of San Antonio.
What health-related areas do you think deserve increased attention,
priority, and local resources, and, if elected, how would you
elevate the discussion of these health issues at City Hall and lead effective
action to improve health and healthcare in our community?
San Antonio needs a
comprehensive mental health plan, owned and operated by the city. Federal and state funds for mental health are
unreliable and seriously underfunded.
COSA must take care of its own citizens without relying on external
funds. Mental health impacts physical
health and the well-being of the family and neighborhoods. Mental health is related to crime. Persons who are impacted by poverty/low wages
and substance-issues can be impulsive and desperate, thus leading to criminal
behavior. Bullying impacts children’s
mental health in serious ways, e.g. “David’s Bill”, and families need a way to
respond. Bullying impacts the LGBTQ+
community mental health. Domestic
violence against women impacts children and mothers’ mental health. Kidnapped victims of sex trafficking have
mental health problems. Veterans who
have PTSD and do not want to seek treatment at the Veterans’ Administration
need a place to receive mental health treatment, especially given that veterans
are committing suicide on a daily basis.
Families experiencing financial hardship need counseling to develop strategies
to cope. I am a clinical psychologist
and I have seen and treated all these situations, so I know that mental health
treatment can have a positive impact on all.
I am proposing reallocation of funds across all budgets, and if
necessary, increase in sales tax to fund 100 new mental health clinics which
would be open 24/7 on a walk-in basis.
Since ALL citizens of San Antonio would pay into this system, ALL
citizens can access these clinics regardless of ability to pay and regardless
of insurance. Just as everyone has a
place to go for urgent care of a broken arm, everyone should have a place to go
for a broken heart and broken mind.
These clinics would be staff by LPC, MSW, psychiatrists, and
psychologists. Safety would be
maintained by SAPD staffing. These 100
clinics would be accessible by foot and bus routes. Physicians and psychiatrists know the role of
mental health on medical health. The
connection between the two is conclusive.
This is my number ONE priority. I
will press this issue on a daily matter, openly, during City Council meetings
and during planning sessions. I will not
let other pressing matters divert my attention from mental health.
2. Bexar County is
the primary source of funding for indigent health care in our area through the
Bexar County Hospital District and University Health System. How would you, if
elected, promote cooperative efforts to increase services and access to care
for the citizens of San Antonio?
I implemented a federal
grant (2002-2005) that has been sustained at Presa Community Center, which
partnered the City, the federal government, and UIW to increase capacity to
serve the Southside through innovative strategies involving college
students. I have developed a model for
indigent mental health care. This model
is fully funded through United Way and serves ANYONE who walks through the
doors at Presa. I have treated clients
from a behavioral health model and their overall health has improved. These methods improve health behaviors and
health-seeking behaviors, such as making appointments and following through on
physician directives and prescriptions.
In this period of time I have served thousands of clients. Through a handful of behavioral health
sessions, clients have improved health by seeking appropriate health care. I would also lobby the state legislature to
release Medicare and Medicaid dollars to serve indigent care through the 100
new mental health care clinics, which would serve San Antonio citizens on a
walk-in basis. This would serve indigent
care.
3. The disparity of
health care between our poorest and wealthiest zip codes/districts is quite
striking (Bexar County Health Collaborative 2016 report). How would you, if
elected, reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes for our lower
income communities/citizens?
A comprehensive review
of the location of mental health resources would determine where the gaps are
located. The first, and perhaps the bulk
of mental health clinics I propose to be constructed would target these areas
first, and if necessary, only focus on these areas of disparity. These areas will probably include the zip
codes where economic empowerment are necessary.
4. San Antonio has a
high incidence of obesity and diabetes mellitus and has been ranked as high as
second in the nation for obesity in recent years. Past city efforts attempting
to improve these rates, such as trying to reduce the prevalence of sugary
drinks in our community, have been met with controversy. What ideas do you have
to reduce the incidence of these chronic health issues?
Ban the availability of
soda in the public schools. Work with
HEB and other grocers to limit/eliminate marketing and advertising of
sodas. Ban the use of plastic bottles,
which would limit the availability of sodas.
Encourage other cities within and near COSA to do the same.
5. According to the CDC, child abuse and neglect are
serious problems that can have lasting harmful effects on its victims. The goal
in preventing child abuse and neglect is clear — to stop this violence from
happening in the first place. What local policies, resources and
efforts will you support to promote safe, stable, nurturing relationships and
environments for all children and families?
