Blogs of the LA Area Chamber
Charity Care in L.A.’s Diverse Communities
Samantha Beasley, Health Care Policy Manager, L.A. Area Chamber on August 27, 2014 at 12:00:00 am
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
Charity Care in L.A.’s Diverse Communities
Despite the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandate, there are certain groups of people that will not be able to obtain health insurance and who will (in essence) “fall through the cracks.” This population is composed primarily of those exempt from the individual mandate because insurance options are not affordable, those who opt out of the individual mandate and face resulting penalties and undocumented immigrants and legal residents of less than five years. According to a 2010 report by the Center for Health Care Strategies, the estimated 20 million individuals who are not able to take advantage of ACA will have to depend, to one degree or another, on charity care programs.
There They Go Again
Gary Toebben on August 26, 2014 at 10:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
I wish I could say I was surprised. I wish I could say that this is a new frustration. In reality it is just the same old song we keep hearing from public employee unions. More than a year ago, Gov. Jerry Brown and the legislature showed leadership by making some moderate changes to the State’s pension systems.
On the Goal Line
Gary Toebben on August 19, 2014 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
As we enter the start of football season, I always look forward to watching a team march down the field with pinpoint passes and well executed running plays to score the winning touchdown with seconds left on the clock. This scenario acts as an effective metaphor for AB 1839 – The Film and Television Tax Credit program which will grow middle class jobs in California.
Taking Advantage of the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
Samantha Beasley, Health Care Policy Manager, L.A. Area Chamber on August 13, 2014 at 12:00:00 am
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
Since 2010, the government has offered a tax break for certain small businesses that offer qualifying employer-sponsored health plans to assist employers with premium costs and contributions. The health reform law, known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) does not require small businesses to provide health insurance coverage for employees. However, for those small businesses that have chosen to provide, or are already looking into providing, coverage to employees through Covered California’s Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) in 2014, the tax credit can help ease the overall costs.
Potholes or Pensions: A Fundamental Question
Gary Toebben on August 12, 2014 at 12:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Two weeks ago the headlines in Los Angeles included a Department of Water & Power water line failure in West L.A. and a ruling by the Employee Relations Board to overturn the creation of a new pension tier for future city employees. The juxtaposition of these two stories points out the tug of war taking place in the City of Los Angeles today. With our limited tax dollars, do we prioritize salaries and pensions or maintenance and services?
California and Mexico are Essential Partners
Gary Toebben on August 5, 2014 at 12:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Gov. Jerry Brown’s Trade Mission to Mexico last week sent the right message to business leaders in Mexico and California. Mexico is California’s largest export market and businesses know how important it is to take care of your largest customers. Gov. Brown and his 130-member delegation were warmly received by Mexican elected officials and business leaders at every event during the four-day visit.