Capitol health plan push fails

SACRAMENTO — Democratic state lawmakers Thursday shot down a proposal that would have required all California state legislators to get their health insurance from Covered California, the exchange set up to implement Obamacare in the state.

The measure would have forced lawmakers to give up the taxpayer-subsidized health plans provided by the Legislature and sign up individually for Covered California.

The Assembly Rules Committee defeated the proposal along party lines, with seven Democrats opposing and three Republicans supporting the bill by Assemblyman Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita).

Wilk introduced the measure, AB 1109, after hearing complaints from several constituents about difficulties in signing up on the Covered California website and limitations on what is covered.

“I believe the Legislature would be more proactive in addressing these concerns if we were enrolled in the program,” Wilk said.

Some Assembly members said the legislation violates a provision of the federal Affordable Care Act that prohibits large employers from shifting their workers to Obamacare.

Wilk does not believe the ACA provision on large employers would prevent lawmakers from switching to Covered California, according to his spokeswoman, Lisa Johnson.

“Legislators are not employees of the Assembly in any traditional sense,” she said. “They aren’t hired or fired by the Assembly. They have immunity from many things. Legislators are ... elected by the people. If anything, they are employees of those voters.”