That health care surcharge on your restaurant bill isn’t always spent on doctor’s visits, or any health care. But under a proposed change to San Francisco’s landmark health care law, it would be, guaranteed, and it would also create a new city option for health insurance.
The City’s 2007 Healthcare Security Ordinance, which created Healthy San Francisco to give uninsured people cheaper access to city clinics, also mandated businesses spend a set amount per employee on health care coverage. Currently, businesses are considered in compliance with the law if they put that money into a health care spending account, whether or not employees actually use it for medical expenses. If the money isn't spent after a certain time, the employer can take it back. And further changes made by the federal Affordable Care Act mean that money can only be spent on vision or dental care, not health insurance. That’s a loophole exploited by some employers that has long needed closing, according to Supervisor David Campos.Related Stories
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