First Newsom forces an ill concieved tax, then his staffer hangs up when I call to get facts

California's health care penalty/tax made the headlines. In all the reporting, no one mentioned that certain people are exempt. The Sacramento Bee mentioned the exemption but provided no information. Sloppy, lazy reporting.

I called Governor Gavin Newsom's office and spoke to a rude staffer who told me she could not help me and told me to call my State Representative. I reminded her this was an idea being pushed by Newsom. She said ,"we don't have information about mandates" and hung up.

Fortunately, DHHS Director Connie Beck came to the rescue. I reached out to her and she had Nancy Starck, Legislative & Policy Manager research it and Ms. Starck promptly provided the information.

The info in the budget trailer bill indicates that the state’s “shared responsibility penalty” will mirror the federal one that was applied up until this year. There are numerous exemptions to the penalty. For example, if you’re income-eligible for Medi-Cal (that’s up to about $17,240/year for an individual) but choose not enroll. Or you’re a member of a Native American Tribe, or have religious objections, etc. etc.

https://www.healthcare.gov/health-coverage-exemptions/exemptions-from-the-fee/

The state budget also includes additional, higher state-funded subsidies to help individuals and families who are over the Medi-Cal threshold, and are not offered insurance through their employer, purchase insurance on Covered California.

Related post:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2019/06/gavin-newson-wants-to-provide.html?m=1