On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors, on a 6 -5 vote passed legislation which amends San Francisco's employer healthcare mandate, dramatically altering how health reimbursement accounts (HRA) work.

Supervisor's David Campos, Ross Mirkarimi, Eric Mar, John Avalos, Jane Kim and Malia Cohen voted to support the amendment, even though the Small Business Commission unanimously opposed the legislation and unanimously supported alternative legislation sponsored by Board President David Chiu.

The Campos legislation, if Mayor Lee does not veto, will require employers (including non-profits) to deposit cash into HRAs rather than use an accrual method, with unspent money in these accounts accumulating every year until 18 months after the employee leaves.

This legislation will suck more than $50 million out of the city's economy annually, with a half a billion impact over the next 10 years . It will force businesses and non-profits to close, lay off workers or shelve expansion plans. It is the single, largest new fee on San Francisco businesses in more than a decade.

Mayor Lee is considering a veto but must hear from businesses and non-profits.

Email Mayor Lee at mayoredwinlee@sfgov.org now and ask him to veto this legislation.

For more information email rob@ggra.org