One small step for S.F., one giant leap for America

San Francisco Supervisors Approve Universal Health Coverage

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has voted unanimously to make the city the nation's first to provide all residents with health care.

The plan approved on Tuesday by the board would give adults access to medical services regardless of their immigration or employment status

Financed by local government, mandatory contributions from employers and income-adjusted premiums, the universal care plan would cover the cost of everything from checkups and prescription drugs to X-rays and operations

Unlike health insurance, however, it would not pay for any services participants seek outside San Francisco.

According to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle, the plan, a merger of proposals put forth by Supervisor Tom Ammiano and Mayor Gavin Newsom, would go into effect next year, provided it passes a second board vote next week and is signed into law by Newsom -- both considered virtual certainties.