Maricopa County residents are preparing to vote on Proposition 409, a proposal to fund Valleywise Health with an $898 million bond aimed at transforming local healthcare services.

As the area’s only public teaching hospital and a crucial safety net, Valleywise Health seeks to address rising patient needs by expanding behavioral health offerings, boosting emergency and inpatient capacity, and rebuilding its community health centers.

If passed, the initiative will increase property taxes by 11 cents per $100 of net assessed limited value—about $22 more per year for homes valued at $200,000.

Major upgrades include a new 200-bed behavioral health hospital to replace an aging facility, larger emergency services, and enriched education programs for training future medical professionals.

With Maricopa County’s population on the rise, Proposition 409 promises to reinforce the region’s commitment to accessible, high-quality care for all.