Proposition 409 Seeks to Enhance Maricopa County's Healthcare System

A construction worker walks through rubble of the old Valleywise Health Medical Center on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Phoenix. The construction will provide updates to technology and facilities to go along with their new facility that opened in 2024. (Photo by Lorenzo Gomez/Cronkite News)

Maricopa County voters are set to decide on Proposition 409, a measure aimed at bolstering the county's healthcare system through an $898 million bond for Valleywise Health.

Valleywise Health, the county's sole public teaching hospital and safety net provider, plans to utilize the funds to expand behavioral health services, increase inpatient and emergency room capacity, and rebuild community health centers.

Dr. Michael White, Valleywise's chief clinical officer, emphasized the hospital's commitment: "We do not turn anyone away. Anyone who needs care will get care within our organization."

If approved, the bond would result in a property tax increase of 11 cents per $100 of net assessed limited property value, equating to an additional $22 annually for a home assessed at $200,000.

Key projects include constructing a new 200-bed behavioral health hospital to replace the existing 50-year-old facility, expanding emergency services, and enhancing medical education programs to train future healthcare professionals.

Former Arizona legislator and Valleywise board member Earl Wilcox highlighted the importance of these improvements, noting the hospital's role in providing care to underserved populations without bureaucratic barriers.

With Maricopa County's population growth and increasing demand for services, Proposition 409 represents a significant investment in the community's health infrastructure.