TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any subsequent amendments including amending the terms, extending the grant period, or increasing grant amounts, with the State of California Health Benefits Exchange (also known as “Covered California”) to facilitate outreach, enrollment and retention into the insurance programs offered through Covered California, to receive and expend grant funding in the amount of $50,000, for a period of one year, with the option to extend the agreement for four additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In 2010, the federal government enacted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), which strives to reduce the number of Americans living without health insurance, while controlling the cost of health care. Covered California, the State of California’s Marketplace Exchange, provides a consumer-focused single portal entry where eligible consumers can shop for, compare and purchase health insurance and receive subsidies. The mission of Covered California is to increase the number of insured Californians, improve health care quality, lower costs, and reduce health disparities through an innovative, competitive marketplace that empowers consumers to choose the health plan and providers that give them the best value.
Covered California offers financial assistance to lower the cost of health insurance in the form of an Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC) and Cost Sharing Reductions (CSR) to individuals and families earning 138 to 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Based on the Governor’s May Revised Budget, starting as early as January 2020, those with incomes up to 600 percent FPL will be eligible for financial assistance. In addition, the State of California will implement State tax penalties through the Franchise Tax Board to those found not having health coverage. With the ever-changing landscape of health law ...
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