Bill Overview
Title: Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center Access Improvement Act
Description: This bill authorizes the Indian Health Service (IHS) to purchase certain private land in Hemet, California, at fair market value and then construct a paved road on that land to facilitate access to the Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center. The IHS shall maintain the road or enter an agreement with Riverside County, California, to maintain the road.
Sponsors: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Target Audience
Population: People impacted by access improvements to the Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center
Estimated Size: 5000
- The bill is aimed at improving access to the Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center by authorizing the purchase of private land for the construction of a road.
- The Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center is an IHS facility, indicating that it serves American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
- Improving access to the wellness center is likely to impact the youths who use the facility, and any stakeholders involved in community health.
- The community of Hemet, California, where the construction will occur, is directly impacted, including local traffic and land use.
- The IHS serves around 2.56 million American Indians and Alaska Natives in 574 federally recognized tribes across 37 states.
Reasoning
- The Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center primarily serves American Indian and Alaska Native youth, and the policy is specifically aimed at improving access to this center.
- The target population is relatively small in the context of the total American Indian and Alaska Native population served by IHS (2.56 million), as it focuses on those near Hemet, California.
- The construction of a road will also impact local residents in Hemet, not just those directly using the Center.
- The funding limits will constrain the scope of the road construction project, potentially impacting the speed and extent of improvements.
- Other residents in Hemet who do not use the Center might see indirect effects such as changes in traffic patterns or land value adjustments.
Simulated Interviews
Student (Hemet, CA)
Age: 17 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The road improvement will make it much easier to reach the Wellness Center, especially for families without reliable transportation.
- I think this will help more of my friends come to the Center.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Social worker (Hemet, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving access to the center is crucial because transportation has been a significant barrier.
- This policy might allow us to better reach underserved youth in the community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired (Hemet, CA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new road could increase traffic on my street, which worries me.
- If it improves health services for young people, I suppose it might be worth it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Nurse (Riverside, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative could improve clinic attendance and allow us to offer more services.
- I am concerned about increased workload without additional staff.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Health care advocate (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The road project is a positive step, but more comprehensive measures are needed to ensure access to care.
- We need awareness campaigns alongside infrastructure improvements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Civil Engineer (San Diego, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Paving new roads is generally beneficial for community infrastructure.
- This project is minor in scale but important for the targeted community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Policy Analyst (Sacramento, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems to focus on a micro-level improvement.
- We should track its outcomes to inform larger projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
School Teacher (Hemet, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Anything that helps the kids get the services they need is a good initiative.
- I'll support any effort that helps improve their home life and school experience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
College Student (Hemet, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Easier road access will make quick visits to the Center feasible.
- I am hopeful for reduced travel time and more frequent health checks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Local Business Owner (Hemet, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving the road might bring more customers through my area.
- Construction could temporarily disrupt business, but long-term gains are likely.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1200000 (Low: $1000000, High: $1500000)
Year 2: $30000 (Low: $20000, High: $40000)
Year 3: $30000 (Low: $20000, High: $40000)
Year 5: $30000 (Low: $20000, High: $40000)
Year 10: $30000 (Low: $20000, High: $40000)
Year 100: $30000 (Low: $20000, High: $40000)
Key Considerations
- The fair market value of land is subject to change and could affect the total cost.
- Maintenance costs depend on who is responsible and the agreement with Riverside County.
- Improved access may have social benefits beyond economic metrics, such as improved healthcare and educational access for youth.