Loganotron

Sometimes the will of the voters is heard, despite the heavy influence and resistance of businesses. Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today in favor of the city’s plan that would require employers to either offer their employees health coverage, or pay a fee to the city to help fund health care coverage for the uninsured. The court went even further to say that the system can go into effect during the appeals process, and that it is likely to hold up to final legal scrutiny.

I don’t believe for one second that small businesses will have to lay people off to be able to pay these fees. They will raise their prices as necessary, and the city residents will pay those prices. I personally will pay them gladly. I think there are huge benefits to having my fellow citizens have access to affordable health care. A healthy populous is a more productive, happy, and prosperous one.

Also, the fees generated from employers would only account for 20% of the program’s cost. The rest of the funding would come from rerouted city funds already dedicated to health care. It’s also important to note for those who deride handouts and free health care, that this program still requires participants to pay a income-adjusted monthly premiums. These fees make up the final portion of the funding for the program. Essentially the city is stepping in to help regulate the astronomical prices that HMOs levy, prices that most lower and middle-income families cannot afford. I am all for it, and am pleased with the court’s ruling today.