Healthy San Francisco
Encyclopedia
Healthy San Francisco is a program to subsidize medical care for certain uninsured
residents of San Francisco
. The program's stated objective is to bring universal health care
to the city, but eligibility and services are limited, and the program website states that insurance "is always a better choice." The program is open to city residents, ages 18–64, whose incomes and net worth are low but who do not qualify for other public coverage, and who have had no insurance for at least 90 days. Eligibility is not conditional on citizenship
, immigration
, employment
or health status. The program covers a range of services, but only pays providers within San Francisco. The city launched Healthy San Francisco in 2007.
's first term, he worked to extend the city-funded health insurance program, started under Mayor Brown, to young adults, a program that had been previously offered only to children. Newsom's more ambitious plan on healthcare began to take shape in 2007. In his budget proposal for fiscal year 2007-2008, Newsom announced his intention to provide universal health care
for all city residents, based on long-time City Supervisor Tom Ammiano
's plan. The care would be provided through the San Francisco Health Access Plan also known as Healthy San Francisco. The system planned to use more electronic referrals and focus on preventive care. Newsom's proposal has prompted Oakland
mayor Ron Dellums
and San Mateo County's Board of Supervisors to look into possibilities for providing their own taxpayer-subsidized health care.
A legal challenge against the program which was filed by the Golden Gate Restaurant Association in 2006 was denied a hearing by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 29, 2010, legally clearing the program for continued existence for the foreseeable future.
, but some are raising price
s and cutting back on hiring.
The Golden Gate Restaurant Association filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the Ordinance, claiming it conflicted with ERISA. The Ninth Circuit rejected their arguments in May, 2009, and an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was declined.
A 2011 report found that federal health insurance legislation signed in 2010 could reduce enrollment by up to 60%, but some would remain enrolled, including undocumented residents, prisoners, and the indigent.
Uninsured in the United States
The number of persons without health insurance coverage in the United States is one of the primary concerns raised by advocates of health care reform. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2009 there were 50.7 million people in the US who were without health insurance...
residents of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. The program's stated objective is to bring universal health care
Universal health care
Universal health care is a term referring to organized health care systems built around the principle of universal coverage for all members of society, combining mechanisms for health financing and service provision.-History:...
to the city, but eligibility and services are limited, and the program website states that insurance "is always a better choice." The program is open to city residents, ages 18–64, whose incomes and net worth are low but who do not qualify for other public coverage, and who have had no insurance for at least 90 days. Eligibility is not conditional on citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
, immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
, employment
Employment
Employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. An employee may be defined as:- Employee :...
or health status. The program covers a range of services, but only pays providers within San Francisco. The city launched Healthy San Francisco in 2007.
History
Early in Mayor Gavin NewsomGavin Newsom
Gavin Christopher Newsom is an American politician who is the 49th and current Lieutenant Governor of California. Previously, he was the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco, and was elected in 2003 to succeed Willie Brown, becoming San Francisco's youngest mayor in 100 years. Newsom was re-elected in 2007...
's first term, he worked to extend the city-funded health insurance program, started under Mayor Brown, to young adults, a program that had been previously offered only to children. Newsom's more ambitious plan on healthcare began to take shape in 2007. In his budget proposal for fiscal year 2007-2008, Newsom announced his intention to provide universal health care
Universal health care
Universal health care is a term referring to organized health care systems built around the principle of universal coverage for all members of society, combining mechanisms for health financing and service provision.-History:...
for all city residents, based on long-time City Supervisor Tom Ammiano
Tom Ammiano
Tom Ammiano is an American politician and LGBT rights activist from San Francisco, California. Ammiano is a Democrat who has served as a member of the California State Assembly since 2008, representing the 13th district...
's plan. The care would be provided through the San Francisco Health Access Plan also known as Healthy San Francisco. The system planned to use more electronic referrals and focus on preventive care. Newsom's proposal has prompted Oakland
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
mayor Ron Dellums
Ron Dellums
Ronald Vernie "Ron" Dellums served as Oakland's forty-fifth mayor. From 1971 to 1998, he was elected to thirteen terms as a Member of the U.S...
and San Mateo County's Board of Supervisors to look into possibilities for providing their own taxpayer-subsidized health care.
A legal challenge against the program which was filed by the Golden Gate Restaurant Association in 2006 was denied a hearing by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 29, 2010, legally clearing the program for continued existence for the foreseeable future.
Funding
"Healthy San Francisco receives funding from the city, the federal government, patient [co-payments] and fees imposed on San Francisco businesses that do not provide health coverage for their workers." The Health Care Security Ordinance included a requirement that employers with more than 20 workers spend at least a minimum amount towards employee health coverage. The minimum payment for 2010 ranges from $1.31 to $1.96 per hour, depending on firm size; for-profit employers with fewer than 20 workers and non-profits with fewer than 50 workers are exempt. Employers can elect to satisfy this requirement by paying into Healthy San Francisco, in which case their workers may apply for the program. As of early May 2008 over 700 employers had decided to participate in the program. Early evidence suggest that employers are spending more on health benefitsHealth insurance in the United States
The term health insurance is commonly used in the United States to describe any program that helps pay for medical expenses, whether through privately purchased insurance, social insurance or a non-insurance social welfare program funded by the government...
, but some are raising price
Price
-Definition:In ordinary usage, price is the quantity of payment or compensation given by one party to another in return for goods or services.In modern economies, prices are generally expressed in units of some form of currency...
s and cutting back on hiring.
The Golden Gate Restaurant Association filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the Ordinance, claiming it conflicted with ERISA. The Ninth Circuit rejected their arguments in May, 2009, and an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was declined.
Reception
A 2009 survey of participants found more than 90% were "at least somewhat satisfied" and would recommend it to a friend, but only 40% of participants said their care was considerably better since joining the program, and the survey only included participants who had been allowed to join.A 2011 report found that federal health insurance legislation signed in 2010 could reduce enrollment by up to 60%, but some would remain enrolled, including undocumented residents, prisoners, and the indigent.
See also
- Health care reform in the United StatesHealth care reform in the United StatesHealth care reform in the United States has a long history, of which the most recent results were two federal statutes enacted in 2010: the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act , signed March 23, 2010, and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 , which amended the PPACA and...