Healthcare Workers Submit Bold Voter Initiative Package to Rein in Healthcare Costs, Ensure Charity Care for the Neediest
Source: | Business Wire, Inc. |
The package of initiatives was submitted by members of
“Three quarters of the hospital industry pays no taxes,” said
The initiatives will appear on the general election ballot in
- The Charity Care Act of 2012: Sets the minimum level of charity care at 5 percent of patient revenue that nonprofit hospitals must spend on healthcare for the needy in exchange for not paying state and local taxes.
- The Fair Healthcare Pricing Act of 2012: Prohibits all hospitals from charging more than 25 percent above the actual cost of providing patient care. On average,
California hospitals charge 450 percent, and as much as 1,000 percent, more than the actual cost of providing care when they treat patients in their facilities. Insurance companies and the uninsured are often left to deal with vastly inflated bills that drive up the cost of healthcare for everyone.
“As healthcare workers we want to make a difference,” said
Taken together, the ballot measures address the root causes of annual skyrocketing premiums that average almost 10 percent. Currently health insurance costs consumers more than
The initiatives would infuse nearly
Currently there are no set requirements for how much charity care a nonprofit hospital must give in order to receive tax exempt status even though the non-profit hospital industry is holding more than
In 2010
The ballot initiatives are one piece of “Let’s Get Healthy California!” Under this banner healthcare workers will negotiate contracts, introduce legislation and work with partner organizations to improve the quality of healthcare, lower healthcare costs and improve healthcare jobs.
SEIU-UHW members are committed to building a team of 10,000 healthcare workers to launch a massive education program in the state focused on wellness and preventive care, and to help prepare for the increasing healthcare demands of an aging population.
For more information visit http://yesforahealthycalifornia.org/
SEIU-UHW
Source: SEIU-UHW
Copyright: | Copyright Business Wire 2011 |
Wordcount: | 642 |
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