S.F. Supervisor Pushes To Close Loophole in Health Law
Last year, 860 San Francisco businesses complied with the city's Healthy San Francisco law by contributing a total of $62.5 million to health reimbursement accounts. However, only $12.4 million, or about 20%, of that funding was used, and the remaining money was returned to employers. San Francisco Supervisor David Campos has introduced an amendment that would require that unused funds be carried over and made available for reimbursement of future health care costs. It also would require businesses to provide employees with written details about how their health care accounts work. Businesses oppose the amendment, arguing that it would lead to layoffs. Ted Egan -- chief economic analyst at San Francisco Controller's Office -- said that if the amendment was approved, the city could lose about 460 jobs in a year. He added that the change likely would drive more employers to comply with the law through the other two options, which would result in better access to care for more residents.
- "S.F. Supes Propose Change to Health Care Accounts" (Gordon, San Francisco Chronicle, 7/15). Â