Referendum Could Deny Health Care for Uninsured San Franciscans

by Randy Shaw, Beyond Chron (reposted)

Wed, Jun 28, 2006 6:29AM

Supervisor Tom Ammiano’s universal health care legislation that requires employers to either provide health care or pay the cost of care into a fund now has a veto-proof eight co-sponsors. Since the measure was modeled after the so-called “Burton bill” that was narrowly overturned in a November 2004 referendum (Prop 172) but won 72% support in San Francisco, the “will of the voters” seems clear. But last week, Mayor Newsom offered a universal health care plan that relied on voluntary, rather than mandatory, employer payments. Will the Mayor ultimately support the Ammiano-Burton plan, or force the Board to override his veto? The Mayor’s stance could decide whether San Francisco’s dream for achieving universal health care will be subject to a Committee on Jobs-funded referendum on the November 2007 ballot.

When the media trumpeted Mayor Newsom’s announcement last week that San Francisco was moving forward on a universal health care plan, it left many confused. Was Newsom’s “voluntary” proposal replacing Ammiano’s, and, if so, why had the Board agreed to an approach that depended on an unreliable funding source?

It turns out that Ammiano’s employer mandate legislation is still on track for passage. With eight co-sponsors, a true universal health care plan for San Francisco commands a veto-proof majority.

But before health care advocates declare “Mission Accomplished,” two obstacles remain.

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http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=3430#more

§The Community Speaks Out in Favor of Ammiano’s Healthcare Legislation

by Beyond Chron (reposted)

Wed, Jun 28, 2006 6:31AM

Thirty Members of the community group ACORN turned out to make their voices heard in support of Supervisor Ammiano’s “Worker Healthcare Security Ordinance” at City Hall on Monday. ACORN members joined with their allies from The San Francisco Labor Council, SEIU, UNITEHERE Local 2, Senior Action Network and Young Workers United to counter the business community’s relentless attacks on Supervisor Ammiano’s historic healthcare legislation. Under Ammiano’s legislation any San Francisco worker who works more than 80 hours a month for a business with more than 20 employees would receive healthcare coverage.

Raul Torres, a member of ACORN who lives in the Mission said “I’ve lived and worked in San Francisco for the last nine years and all that time I have not had health coverage. In 2004 I had an accident and as a result I have a bill from General Hospital that I can’t afford to pay for $7,000.”

T.J. Johnston, a member of ACORN who lives in Western Addition and works for a Telephone Research company in San Francisco, testified before the Board of Supervisor’s Budget and Finance Committee “Like 16,000 other people who work and live in San Francisco, I am working on borrowed time. I've gone several years without access to health care and can't remember the last time I went to the doctor for a checkup.”

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http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=3427#more

§San Francisco's Health Care Plan Draws Mixed Reviews

by New American Media (reposted)

Thu, Jun 29, 2006 6:17AM

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom wants to offer health care to all city residents, but some small-business owners worry that the program won't stay voluntary. Viji Sundaram is the health care editor for New America Media. Viji Sundaram is the health care editor for New America Media.

SAN FRANCISCO--Ranjan Dey, owner of the 19-year-old New Delhi Restaurant on Ellis Street, fairly bristles at the thought of having to pay for the health care of his 10-member work force.

"I am not a social service," Dey said. "I just can't afford to buy health care for my staff. If I had to, it will disable me."

Dey was responding to Mayor Gavin Newsom's June 20 announcement of a proposal that would make San Francisco the first city in the nation to offer low-cost health care to all uninsured residents, including doctor's visits, surgeries and prescription drugs.

Although Newsom's San Francisco Health Access Plan is voluntary, similar legislation proposed by Supervisor Tom Ammiano would require businesses to contribute to their employees' health care. Ammiano's legislation could merge with Newsom's proposal.

Under Newsom's health care plan, all of the city's 82,000 uninsured adult residents could have access to doctors in private and public hospitals in the city if they or their employers subscribe to the plan. Individuals earning $50,000 or more a year would have to pay $201.25 a month in premiums, depending on family size, while those making between $19,600 and $50,000 a year would pay $35 a month.

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http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=bac23d30f0327d32ccf7a2ed1b7a3374

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