PREPARED BY: MATT RODRIGUEZ DATE OF MEETING: 06/05/17
SUBJECT:
TITLE
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO IN SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 562 - THE HEALTHY CALIFORNIA ACT
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
Health Services Readily Available is a major policy goal and Support for SB 252 (Lara/Atkins) - the Healthy California Act is an active policy item contained in the FY 2015-17 Council Priority Workplan Update, effective October 1, 2016.
CEQA Compliance Statement
This is not a project as defined by CEQA
BACKGROUND
On May 15, 2017, the following policy item was approved by majority vote to proceed with City Council consideration to add: Support for SB 252 (Lara/Atkins) - the Healthy California Act; as an adopted policy item to the FY 2015-17 Council Priority Workplan, effective October 1, 2016. Following this action, a Resolution of Support was directed to be developed for future City Council consideration.
Background
Senate Bill (SB) 562 (Lara & Atkins), the Healthy California Act, proposes to establish a comprehensive universal single-payer health care coverage in California. The proposed bill, once enacted by the State Legislature and signed into law by the Governor, would guarantee that every resident of California regardless of income or legal status will receive comprehensive healthcare services.
If passed into law, the bill proposes to provide individuals a free choice of licensed health professionals and services. Covered benefits will include services to keep people healthy-mentally and physically- as well as those services that diagnose and treat diseases. In addition to emergency services, surgeries, and hospital stays, services such as home healthcare, day care and hospice are covered. Vision and dental care are also included. According to its proponents, the Healthy California Act has been crafted to provide a single high standard of safe, therapeutic care for all California residents in a manner that is financially sustainable with the following attributes:
• A payroll and income premium, which is higher for upper income earners, would replace insurance company premiums, co-pays and deductibles.
• No out-of-pocket costs for covered services.
• Eliminates co-pays for Medicare Part B.
• Lower prescription drug costs.
• Regional planning to reduce overlap and duplication of expensive equipment and facilities.
• Provider rates will be negotiated to ensure access, cost control and high-value services.
• The advances from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will be folded into the new system.
• Cost-savings from reduced bureaucracy.
• Diverse participants including ordinary citizens and representatives of labor and business, as well as various health care professionals and health policy experts, will advise and help design the Healthy California program
Currently, a significant number of low-income, immigrants, working families, and seniors in San Pablo do not have adequate health coverage. The lack of health coverage isn’t just a burden, but it also makes the lives of those who are not covered more stressful which can lead to severe health and socio-economic problems.
Recently, the Federal Administration and U.S. Congress aimed to eliminate accessible and affordable health care for the middle to lower class with expensive medical care alternatives. The State of California is attempting to set an example to the nation by establishing single-payer healthcare coverage with no exceptions.
The proposed bill already has the backing of the California Nurses Association and will likely gain more supporters as publicity for it grows. While California has considered single payer initiatives in the past, the recent repeal of the ACA has created a sense of urgency for approximately 24 million people in the United States who will be without affordable healthcare alternatives.
Status of SB 562 Legislation
As of agenda preparation, the SB 562 legislation passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee (Vote: 5-2) on 05/26/17, and is slated for Senate Floor Hearing on 05/31/17.
Other Local Cities Support
The following local East Bay cities have adopted official positions of support for the SB 562 legislation to date, as follows:
• City of Albany City Council authorized a letter of support on 05/01/17;
• City of Berkeley City Council adopted a Resolution of Support on 03/14/17;
• City of El Cerrito City Council adopted a Resolution of Support on 05/16/17;
• City of Emeryville City Council authorized a letter of support on 05/02/17;
• City of Richmond City Council adopted a Resolution of Support on 04/18/17.
The City Manager, as previously directed by the City Council action on 05/15/17, has prepared a Resolution of Support for SB 562 for City Council review and consideration with this legislation being consistent with overall policy goals adopted in the FY 2013-15 Council Priority Workplan, effective October 1, 2016.
FISCAL IMPACT
None associated with this action.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. SB 562 Fact Sheet
2. SB 562 Legislation (Last Amended on 05/26/17)