Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Health Care Security Ordinance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board advances amendments to Health Care Security Ordinance; items pass on first reading
Summary
Supervisors voted to advance two amendments to the city’s Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO). Items 14 and 15 — extending operative dates and authorizing reimbursement accounts — were presented as a package and moved forward on first reading with recorded roll calls.
Supervisor Ammiano presented two related items (agenda items 14 and 15) amending the Health Care Security Ordinance to (1) authorize Department of Public Health to establish reimbursement accounts for health care expenses and (2) extend an operative enrollment or expenditure date to February 2008 for parts of HCSO that require minimum employer contributions.
Ammiano described the changes as a phased implementation of the city’s Health Access Plan to prioritize the most vulnerable residents first and to offer participating businesses multiple compliance options, including nonresident reimbursement accounts managed by DPH. He said the amendments were developed with stakeholders, the labor council and the mayor’s office.
Supervisor McGoldrick praised the leadership on a universal health access effort and asked to be listed as a cosponsor; several supervisors emphasized broad support from labor and community groups. Supervisor Daley said he would vote against item 15 while supporting item 14 because of concerns about the split file and timing.
On roll call, item 14 passed on first reading (recorded ayes by supervisors present; the transcript records the item as passed). Item 15 also passed on first reading with eight ayes and three no votes recorded. The transcript notes the city is being sued by the Golden Gate Restaurant Association over the universal health care legislation; Ammiano referenced resisting “hostile and frivolous litigation” and asked the board to remain unified.
The amendments will proceed through the usual ordinance process; item 14 and item 15 were presented and advanced as part of a single package in committee and were recorded as passed on first reading in the meeting transcript.
