San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom wants his city to be the first in the country to provide universal healthcare access to its residents, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Newsom has proposed that the city and local businesses subsidize health coverage for San Francisco’s 82,000 uninsured adults, which is projected to cost $200 million annually. The city would foot $104 million of the bill, business would be asked to voluntarily contribute $30 million, and premiums would pay for the remainder. Healthcare coverage would be limited to providers in the San Francisco area, and premiums would run $201 per month for those who earn $50,000 or more and $35 per month for individuals who earn less. The proposal has the support of providers, labor unions, and city officials, but some small business owners have expressed concerns over an alternative proposal that would force employers to contribute.
