Recently, US Senator Bernie Sanders issued this surprising tweet: It's surprising because the top 7 countries operate under multi-payer universal coverage systems while the single-payer universal coverage systems favored by Mr. Sanders don't show up until numbers 8 and 9. Is it possible Mr. Sanders doesn't know the difference? Either way, we hope CA legislators know the difference. If they … Continue reading The Universal Coverage Knowledge Gap
Category: Healthcare
Legislators Should Test Drive CoveredCA
Dear Legislators,We find ourselves amazed that fewstate legislators and their staffs know about CoveredCA. They should take a test spin, which takes less than a minute. Eg, say you are a 53 year old retired prison guard with a $90,000 annual pension who lives in Sacramento with a spouse age 53 and two kids ages … Continue reading Legislators Should Test Drive CoveredCA
Retiree Health Subsidies Explained
Dear Legislators,We are pleased that more and more of you are eager to address the billions you unnecessarily divert every year from services to extravagant insurance subsidies for retired state employees ("Retiree Health Subsidies," or "RHS"). Following are some basic facts followed by a list of reform opportunities. RHS should not be confused with pensions. … Continue reading Retiree Health Subsidies Explained
Donor Rejection
Here's something Assembly Members Luz Rivas, David Chiu, Richard Bloom and Buffy Wicks don't want their constituents to know: - Start at https://www.calhr.ca.gov/labor-relations/Pages/Unit-06-Corrections.aspx, where you will see a list of 21 "Bargaining Units" that represent state employees who get paid billions of dollars per year upon the approval of state legislators and the governor. The … Continue reading Donor Rejection
The Excellence Of Covered California
At a time when criticism is leveled at CA's government for poorly performing agencies such as the Employment Development Department, it's important to point out excellently performing agencies such as Covered California. Now that I'm on Medicare I no longer need CC but my wife and daughter do and it is a marvel. Application and … Continue reading The Excellence Of Covered California
The Hill: Coronavirus aid should go directly to the people
BY LANHEE J. CHEN AND DAVID CRANE, OPINION CONTRIBUTORS As federal policymakers consider future legislation to address the economic challenges created by COVID-19, they should take the shortest route possible to get aid to those who need it. Where possible, the assistance should go directly to affected individuals and businesses, rather than through the states. If … Continue reading The Hill: Coronavirus aid should go directly to the people
Thank You, Zeke Emanuel
GFC has long pointed out to legislators that there is more than one path to universal coverage, including the multi-payer path taken by Germany, France and others. In the past we’ve encouraged legislators to read The Healing of America by TR Reid to gain a sense of those paths. Now, health policy advisor to President Obama Ezekiel … Continue reading Thank You, Zeke Emanuel
No Furloughs Before Reforms
Yesterday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti warned of employee furloughs to help meet an anticipated $600 million revenue shortfall. Before LA furloughs workers providing important services, the city should save up to $300 million per year by emulating the City of Glendale in reforming and means-testing a subsidy currently provided to retired employees. LA provides … Continue reading No Furloughs Before Reforms
SFUSD’s Self-Inflicted Wound
San Francisco Unified School District’s revenues are 40 percent higher than five years ago yet the district just announced a $32 million deficit. That’s because spending on retirement costs went up more than 100 percent. $31 million of those retirement costs are unnecessary. That’s the amount being spent on insurance subsidies for retired employees already covered by or eligible … Continue reading SFUSD’s Self-Inflicted Wound
California’s Berlin Wall
To understand California’s publicly-funded school system, it helps to understand federally-funded health insurance. Both Medicare and the Veterans Administration are government-funded insurers but the VA is also a government-operated health care provider. While Medicare enrollees may freely choose among health care providers, VA enrollees may choose a non-VA provider only in limited cases. California has … Continue reading California’s Berlin Wall