Despite setback, city's health care for uninsured program grows {Court Delays Health Care Ruling}

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 12/31/7 | Bob Egelko

[SmithL]

San Francisco's first-in-the-nation program to provide health care for the uninsured will expand Wednesday, but employers won't have to share the cost, at least for now.

City officials had asked a federal appeals court for an emergency order allowing them to put the health plan into full effect on Wednesday while they appealed a federal judge's ruling in favor of employers. But the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to take immediate action Monday, and instead said it would hold a hearing later in the week.

That means San Francisco will have to put on hold plans to begin opening the health care program to all of its 73,000 uninsured adult residents - regardless of their income. Instead, the city will extend coverage on Wednesday to those making up to three times the federal poverty level, or about $32,000 a year for an individual.

Since its start in July, eligibility has been limited to those making no more than the federal poverty level. Officials say 7,350 residents have enrolled since the program, authorized by city supervisors in 2006, went into effect.

Costs will continue to be paid entirely from tax revenues and co-payments and premiums from patients, without any fees from employers. Without those fees, about 26,000 uninsured residents who make more than three times the poverty level will remain ineligible for coverage, at least until the court decides the case. City officials had hoped to phase them into the program over the next 18 months to two years.

The program's director, Tangerine Brigham, said the 22 clinics already taking part in the program would also serve the new clients.

...The legal dispute involves an employer mandate that would pay for less than a fourth of the $200 million-per-year program.

[mtbopfuyn]

Who else thinks this will be fun to watch? Can you say Titanic?

[dasboot]

Tangerine Brigham

[socialismisinsidious]

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