Court Sides With Working Families, Upholds San Francisco Health Care Ordinance

Statement by California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski

 

“By upholding the San Francisco health care ordinance, the 9th Circuit has taken
a strong stance on behalf of working families. It has protected health care
coverage for tens of thousands of San Franciscans and cleared the path for
comprehensive reform to cover the 6.5 million Californians who still lack
coverage.

“For years, employers have stalled, stymied and stopped health care reform
efforts across the country by claiming those efforts were subject to federal preemption. This ruling decisively undercuts their legal arguments and reaffirms
what advocates for working families have argued all along.

“Today’s 9th Circuit decision makes it clear that ERISA, a federal law designed to
protect employees, can’t be used by big business to evade responsibilities to
workers. We applaud this decision and hope it reinvigorates efforts for health
reform in California and across the country.”

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