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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.4 Cover Dublin Day Procor 19 82 /ii � 111 DATE: TO: FROM: SUBJECT STAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL November 19, 2013 Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Joni Pattillo City Manager""' CITY CLERK File #610 -50 Proclamation Declaring "Cover Dublin Day" in support of Covered California Prepared by Lynette Darensburg, Administrative Analyst 11 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City of Dublin, in its efforts to tackle the need for affordable health care in the community, is pledging its support to Covered California by declaring "Cover Dublin Day ". Covered California was created by the State of California to develop an organized marketplace where eligible residents can buy affordable health coverage. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council proclaim November 20, 2013 as "Cover Dublin Day." Submitted By Director of Community Development DESCRIPTION: �?14 Reviewed By Assistant City Manager In 2010, the federal government enacted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act), which aims to increase the number of Americans with insurance and cut the overall costs of health care. Covered California was developed by the State of California to create an organized marketplace where eligible residents can buy affordable health coverage. By 2014, approximately 2.6 million Californians will qualify for federal financial assistance, and an additional 2.7 million who do not qualify for federal assistance will benefit from guaranteed coverage through Covered California or from an insurance company in the individual market. Covered California will offer subsidized health care coverage in the form of premium assistance and cost - sharing reductions to individuals and families with incomes between 139 percent and Page 1 of 2 ITEM NO. 3.4 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines. Premium assistance and /or cost - sharing reductions will only be available to consumers in California through Covered California. In early 2011, the City of Dublin, in collaboration with the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton, developed the Tri- Valley Needs Assessment. The assessment identified 14 areas of human services concern within the Tri - Valley, with one of these needs being affordable healthcare. Supporting Covered California ensures the City is addressing the need of affordable healthcare in the community, by helping our citizens understand and continue to have access to affordable and quality health insurance options available through Covered California. Information regarding Covered California can be found at www.coveredca.com or call (800) 300- 1506. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS /PUBLIC OUTREACH: Covered California information posted on city website. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Proclamation "Cover Dublin Day" 2. Cover California Fact Sheet Page 2 of 2 A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF DUBLIN, CALIFORNIA "COVER DUBLIN DAY" WHEREAS, the City of Dublin (`the City) has identified affordable healthcare as a human services need amongst the lower income population of the community; and WHEREAS, to address this need it is necessary for the City to support efforts to ensure all residents receive quality and affordable healthcare, and WHEREAS, it is helpful to inform and educate the community of the options available to them by identifying programs that provide access to affordable healthcare, and WHEREAS, Covered California was created by the State of California to develop an organized marketplace where eligible residents can buy affordable health coverage, and WHEREAS, supporting the efforts of Covered California by informing the residents of Dublin of this resource, is essential in tackling the issue of the lack of affordable healthcare options. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that 1, Tim Sbranti, Mayor of Dublin, on behalf of the entire City Council, do hereby proclaim that November 20, 2013 as "Cover Dublin Day" in the City of Dublin, and 1 call upon all citizens and civic organizations to acquaint themselves with the issues involved in providing affordable accessible healthcare in our community. DATED: November 19, 2013 Mayor Sbranti Vice -Mayor Biddle Councilmember Haubert Councilmember Hart Councilmember Gupta Affordable Insurance Is a National Priority In 2010, the federal government approved a law —the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act) — to increase the number of Americans with health insurance and cut the cost of health care. The law is important to Californians because it provides financial assistance to help individuals and small businesses pay for health insurance. Those who already have affordable health Getting California Covered Covered California was created to develop an easy -to -use marketplace where most Californians can get health coverage that cannot be denied by health insurance companies or canceled if they are sick or have a pre- existing health condition, such as asthma or diabetes. By 2014, about 2.6 million Californians will be able to access financial assistance through Covered California to pay for their health insurance, and 1.4 million will be newly eligible for Medi -Cal. An additional 2.7 million will benefit from coverage that is guaranteed whether they buy an insurance plan through Covered California or on their own. All health insurance don't need to take any action, unless they lose their coverage for certain reasons, such as the loss of a job. To help those without health insurance get covered, the Affordable Care Act included a requirement that states either set up their own marketplace for people to buy health insurance or have one set up by the federal government. These marketplaces will offer one -stop shops where people can compare FF W V, insurance plans purchased through Covered California must cover certain services called essential health benefits. These include doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency care, maternity care, children's care, prescriptions, medical tests and mental health care. COVERED CALIFORNIA health insurance plans and buy the plan that works best for them, their family and their budget. California chose to set up its own marketplace — Covered California TM — as its doorway to health coverage. California also decided to expand its Medi -Cal program, and Covered California is the place to go to find out if you are eligible. Health insurance plans also must cover preventive care services, like mammograms and colonoscopies, for free. All plans being sold in the Covered California marketplace, as well as those sold outside it, will be required to include these benefits. A Commitment to Californians Covered California is committed to making sure that everyone is aware of their health insurance coverage options and can easily compare health insurance plans and choose the right one. We know that choosing health insurance can be confusing, and we are here to help. We will be providing support in person, by phone and online. We are training people in local communities across the state who will help Californians learn about the new health insurance options available. These trained professionals will be able to offer help in many different languages. Version: October 2013 The Health Insurance Marketplace I t On Oct. 1, 2013, Covered California consumers — not for health insurance will begin enrolling eligible Californians companies. Covered California also will for health insurance coverage that will help small businesses provide affordable begin in January 2014. Residents who health coverage to their employees. do not have health insurance from their employer or another government program, or for whom that insurance is not affordable, may qualify for help with premiums. Covered California is the only place where Californians can use premium assistance from the federal government to reduce their health care costs. Covered California is also the place to go to see if you are eligible for Medi -Cal. Californians will be able to buy the same health insurance plan in the private market that will be offered through Covered California. One advantage of purchasing insurance through Covered California is that it is easy to compare different plans. For the first time ever, it is possible to make apples -to- apples comparisons across different health insurance plans, thanks to new standard benefits that were designed to work for COVERED CALIFORNIA Through Covered California, businesses For the first time ever, it is possible to make apples- to- apples comparisons across different health insurance plans. with one to 50 eligible employees will be able to purchase health insurance. Businesses with fewer than 25 equivalent full -time employees could qualify for tax credits. Starting in 2016, Covered California will be open for larger employers with 100 or fewer eligible employees. For more information, visit www.CoveredCA.com or call (800) 300 -1506. CoveredMcom Covered California is the new online "marketplace" that will make it simple and affordable to purchase quality health insurance and get financial assistance to help pay for it. If your income is limited, you may be eligible for free coverage through Medi -Cal.