One in four employers offering health care benefits will be subject to the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) so-called "Cadillac tax" in 2018, and 42 percent of employers will be affected a decade after that, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Under the ACA, employers that offer health plans with annual premiums of more than $10,200 for individuals or $27,500 for families will pay a 40 percent excise tax on the portion of the premiums that exceeds those thresholds. The tax is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2018. Some employers could begin making changes to benefits now to avoid the tax.
Blogs of the LA Area Chamber
Stand With Us At L.A. City Hall on Oct. 7
Gary Toebben on September 22, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Chamber members need to run their businesses, service their customers and create jobs. Doing those things doesn’t leave a lot of time to attend meetings at City Hall. Yet once year, at our ACCESS L.A. City Hall event, we have hundreds of business leaders, from companies of all shapes and size,s stand together, with one voice.
A Long-Needed Plan to Build More Housing in Los Angeles
Gary Toebben on September 15, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
In economics, supply and demand impact pricing. Nowhere is that more obvious than in housing in Los Angeles. Our lack of housing has pushed prices upward and forced many employees to endure hour-long commutes between where they work and where they can afford to live.
Committee Gives 'Mega Bill' Go-Ahead
California Healthline on September 11, 2015 at 10:00:00 am
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
A special legislative session committee in the California Legislature approved a far-reaching bill on Thursday that imposes a $2-a-pack tax on cigarettes and a similar tax on electronic cigarettes, institutes a revised version of the current tax on managed care organizations, funds programs to curb tobacco use, pays for a 7 percent restoration in In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) hours, provides money to bolster services for the developmentally disabled and boosts pay rates for providers of those services.
State Transportation Funding and Reform Overdue
Gary Toebben on September 8, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
As we approach the final days of the legislative session, Governor Brown has released a framework for a transportation funding package. We urge legislators to us this proposal as the basis for negotiations and come together to fix our crumbling streets and roads now.
The School Board's Big Decision
Gary Toebben on September 1, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
The Board of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has embarked on its most important decision – the selection of a new superintendent. Current Superintendent Ray Cortines has announced that he will be leaving during this school year after completing his third stint at the helm. During each of these voyages, he has demonstrated determined leadership to unify the board and steer the district ship forward.
One-Fourth of Employers Offering Health Benefits Will Be Hit With ACA's 'Cadillac Tax'
California Healthline on August 26, 2015 at 4:00:00 pm
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
LetÂ’s Go After the 2024 Olympics
Gary Toebben on August 26, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
A Los Angeles bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics needs to be submitted prior to Labor Day and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce is pledging its support to Mayor Eric Garcetti and Bid Committee Chairman Casey Wasserman. The endorsement was provided by the Chamber’s Executive Committee, in a unanimous vote, at its meeting last week.
Balancing Climate Change and Job Displacements
Gary Toebben on August 25, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Public opinion polls show that Californians are concerned about jobs. They are also concerned about climate change and there is a tail-wind of support behind two bills in the legislature to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: SB 32 by Senator Fran Pavley and SB 350 by Senate pro temp Kevin deLeon.
Connecting Leaders to Drive Change Throughout California
Gary Toebben on August 18, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Drought, job creation, education, immigration reform and climate change – California has no shortage of critical issues and challenges. But it also has is an abundance of opportunity.
California's Aging Population Could Strain Health Care System
California Healthline on August 12, 2015 at 10:00:00 am
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
California's health care system could struggle to meet the demand of the state's growing aging population, according to two new reports, the Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert" reports.
Details of CHCF Report
According to a report by the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF), California's population of residents ages 65 or older is projected to more than double by 2040. As a result, that population's demand for health care services will increase, but the effects will be disproportionate depending on service type and location.