Health Access California, the statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition, urged Californians to comply with the efforts to minimize mixing and movement, to prevent hospitalizations and deaths from the COVID-19 virus, and maintain capacity and access to our health system.
SB 977, Major Bill to Address Health Care Consolidation and Costs in California, Heads to Final Floor Votes
Today, the California Assembly Appropriations Committee passed SB 977 which will ensure public oversight of health care systems that seek to merge and/or consolidate. This is especially important now due to the current pandemic and the financial struggles it has brought.
California Assembly Health Committee to Hear SB 852, Bill Addressing Prescription Drug Costs
Today, the California Assembly Health Committee will have a committee hearing at 10:30 am to hear SB 852 (Pan) which will allow the state to potentially contract to manufacture generic drugs, lowering costs and increasing access for consumers.
Despite COVID-19, Covered California Announces Record Low Rate Increase for 2021 Health Premiums – As Millions Lose Jobs, Income, and Coverage, Covered California More Crucial Than Ever
In good news for consumers, Covered California announced today that 2021 individual insurance premiums will see a minimal average rate increase of 0.6%, the lowest increase in the marketplace’s history. Covered California also announced that all 11 health insurance companies will return for 2021, and two will expand their coverage, giving 99.8% of California has at least two choices and most have 4 or more.
Key Bills Addressing Health Care Costs Up in CA Senate Health Committee Today
The California Senate Health Committee today will hear a number of key bills on public health, health care access, and on addressing high health care costs, particularly on prescription drug prices, and on hospital consolidation. This will be the only Senate Health Committee before the end of session, and the only opportunity to hear testimony on these important bills.
Due to Continued COVID-19 Crisis – Covered California Gives Consumers More Time to Sign Up for Health Coverage by Extending Special Enrollment Deadline
Today, Covered California announced the extension of the special enrollment deadline to the end of August. Due to the continued surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the state, Covered California will give consumers additional time to sign up for health coverage during this pandemic—especially for those who lost not just jobs, and income, but also employer-based health coverage.
CA Legislature Passes a 2020-21 State Budget That Protects Most Health and Human Services Programs – For Now
Today, the California State Senate and Assembly passed a budget preserving most funding for vital health and human services programs, which are even more important as our state works to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
AB 2892 (L. Rivas) Consumer Protection Program
According to the New Poll, Increasing Number of Californians Struggle to Pay for Health Care and Over Half Have Delayed Due to Cost
Today the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) released a new poll showing that Californians are increasingly worried about the rising cost of health care, and want the state to take action.
Health Consumer Champions Revealed in New Health Access 2019 Legislative Scorecard
Looking back on a momentous year for California health care consumers, Health Access California today released its 2019 Legislative Scorecard highlighting key bills supported by health care consumer advocates in the 2019 legislative session.