Scott Suckow of the Liver Coalition responded to the San Diego Union-Tribune’s editorial on Prop 38. He writes that the editorial left out the patients most affected, and that Prop 38’s immunology research offers real hope to families facing liver cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and other diseases.
Originally published as a letter to the editor in The San Diego Union-Tribune on September 25, 2026. Read the original.
Letter to the editor by Scott Suckow
Re “No on Prop. 38, an $8.4 billion wolf in sheep’s clothing” (Sept. 18): The U-T Editorial Board’s position on Proposition 38 overlooks the people most affected by the diseases this measure aims to confront. Liver cancer death rates are rising, and nearly every California family is touched by cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, Parkinson’s, diabetes or another chronic illness. Yet not a single patient voice appears in the editorial.
I understand concerns about bond size and funding structure. But from a patient-impact perspective, Proposition 38 offers real hope. Immunology research is essential to developing new ways to prevent, detect and treat a myriad of diseases. And UC research does not operate in isolation. Discoveries at one campus routinely flow across the system.
With federal funding uncertainty, Proposition 38 provides a sustainable investment in lifesaving innovation. This is why I’m voting yes.
— Scott Suckow, Hillcrest