San Francisco Health Officials Hear Concerns on Universal Access

Acting now, faith leaders said, takes advantage of a “window of opportunity” in San Francisco. They demand a plan that covers both preventive and mental health services for people of all ages and income levels. Costs need to weigh fairly on users, employers and the city, they say.

They also urge city officials to push for statewide and national solutions.

Months ago, Mayor Gavin Newsom announced a commitment to cover all city residents, regardless of their ability to pay, with basic health care access. He created the Universal Healthcare Council and gave it 100 days to develop the idea.

Several city officials attended “Coming Out on healthcare!” at the Congregation Sha'ar Zahav in the city’s Mission District on Wed., June 14. Supervisor Bevan Dufty, Julian Potter, Director of Public Policy in the Mayor’s Office, and Mitchell Katz, MD, Director of Health at the Dept. of Public Health, pledged to follow the congregation’s recommendations.

According to Supervisor Dufty, coverage for uninsured residents would cost $200 million. The city currently spends $104 million yearly on health care for the uninsured, who comprise 15 percent of the city’s residents, or 82,000 people. Health care consumers and the business community can split the remaining cost, or roughly $100 million, Dufty says, in a “model that can be used in the rest of the country.”

Large businesses get better rates than small ones in providing for their employees, said Dr. Katz. His department focuses on getting all of the city’s large employers to provide coverage, he said.

More
http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=df377ec5221a265101ca37dfa73982c8