New Bill Helps Californians Track Out-of-Pocket Health Care Spending
Today, the Senate Health Committee will hear a key patient protection bill, Senate Bill 368 (Limón), that would require consumers to receive timely and accurate information about their progress over the course of a year in meeting their deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and other spending limits. Our health care system requires many consumers to pay for a share of their health care through deductibles and other out-of-pocket spending.
Twenty Takeaways from 2020
Protecting Our Progress and Confronting the Challenges of COVID-19 Like most Californians, we had high hopes for progress in 2020. The year began in earnest with the implementation of expanded access and affordability to coverage for hundreds of thousands of Californians, and ambitious plans to increase health industry oversight to control costs, improve quality and […]
CA Hearing Today on Health Care Costs Highlights Need For Additional Action
Today, the California Assembly Health Committee will hold a hearing that will feature numerous experts on the high-profile issue of health care costs, including those drivers that lead to higher health prices, and potential options for controlling cost increases. Among the topics will be the setting up of a new Health Payments Database, authorized in legislation this year, to better track health cost and prices throughout California’s health system.
Governor Newsom Signs Key Bill to Address Health Care Costs and Transparency Amid Pandemic
Today, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a key bill to lower costs and improve transparency in the health care system for California consumers. AB 2118 (Kalra), sponsored by Health Access California institutes rate reporting in individual & small-group markets, similar to what is already required in the large group health insurance market. This new rate reporting will add to the rate review that state regulators already undertake.
Governor Gavin Newsom Signs SB 852, Addressing Prescription Drug Costs
Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 852 (Pan) which will allow the state to potentially contract to manufacture generic drugs, lowering costs and increasing access for consumers. “We should use every tool available, including the contracting power of the state of California, to expand access to life-saving generic prescription drugs. By creating a generic drug label for the state, SB 852 (Pan) will help ensure that Californians have access to more affordable generic medications.
New Census Data Shows One Million More Americans Uninsured in 2019, Even Before the Pandemic
After years of decline after the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, the new 2019 Census data released today shows an increased in the uninsured rate nationally and in California, with the rate going up to 9.2%, with one million more Americans uninsured, totalling 29.6 million. California’s uninsured rate also went up in 2019, from 7.2% to 7.7%, creeping up just past 3 million Californians, according to the new Census data.
Despite Pandemic, Progress Continued on Health Care, Coverage, and Costs in California; Advocates Urge Governor Newsom Sign Key Access and Accountability Bills
This morning, the California Legislature ended a 2020 session marked by significant changes due to the COVID-19 crisis. While several high-profile health policy initiatives stalled in light of the pandemic and the economic emergency that caused a state budget deficit, the legislative year ended with key advances on health policy for California consumers.
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.