Category: Federal

Affordability, COVID-19, Federal, Under-insured

Another Low Rate Increase for 2022 Covered California Health Premiums New Federal & State Aid Means Even Lower Premiums for Most Covered California Consumers

Following a year that has seen the greatest investment in the Affordable Care Act since the law took effect, Covered California, the state’s health care insurance marketplace, today announced its third straight year of minimal premium rate increases.

In fact, earlier this year, virtually all in Covered California saw reductions in their premiums through federal subsidies, which will continue in 2022. Through the American Rescue Plan (ARP), the Biden Administration took action to increase subsides for those who purchase health care on their own via the marketplace, capping premiums to 8.5% of income across the board – and much lower for middle and lower income consumers. These actions, along with state affordability assistance, have significantly reduced costs for the nearly 1.6 million enrollees in Covered California, leading to higher enrollment and a more stable market.

Affordability, Affordable Care Act, Care4AllCA, Consumer Protection, COVID-19, Economy, Equity, Expanding Coverage, Federal, Gov. Brown, Health Reform, Health4All, Insurers, Legislation, Medi-Cal, Research, Single Payer, Uncategorized, Undocumented

2021-22 CA Budget Takes Major Steps to a More Universal & Equitable Health Care System

The State Legislature passed the final 2021-2022 health budget bill (AB 133) that includes historic investments in expanding and improving health coverage for millions of Californians. It now goes to Governor Newsom for his final signature in the coming days. Many of the proposals included in this budget bill were key priorities of the Care4All California coalition of over […]

Affordable Care Act, Budget, COVID-19, Expanding Coverage, Federal, Health Reform, Uninsured

California Health Advocates Praise Federal Federal COVID-19 Relief Bill on ACA Affordability Assistance

California consumer and health advocates hailed the current COVID-19 relief package that passed the Senate this weekend for its historic investments in health care coverage and accessibility and urged its final passage in the House of Representatives. The package includes significant funding for vaccine distribution, direct income support to families, and aid to state and […]

Affordability, Affordable Care Act, Covered California, COVID-19, Federal

CA Advocates Praise Federal Bill on ACA Affordability Assistance, Urge State Action

California consumer and health advocates hailed the current COVID-19 relief package that passed the Senate this weekend for its historic investments in health care coverage and accessibility, and urged its final passage in the House of Representatives.

The package includes significant funding for vaccine distribution, direct income support to families, and aid to state and local governments that will assist in providing health and human services. Most notably, the federal bill provides historic financial assistance to help millions of Americans afford health coverage in the midst of this pandemic, ensuring that no American will pay more than 8.5% of their income on health care coverage.

Federal, Surprise Bills

CA Bill Strengthens Surprise Medical Bill Protections After Win at the Federal Level

A new California bill introduced today, AB 510 by Assemblymember Wood, will strengthen California’s already historic protections against surprise medical bills. While California’s AB 72 (2016) already protected most Californians from receiving costly medical bills for out-of-network care unknowingly received at an in-network facility, Congress recently passed the No Surprises Act which fills in most of the gaps which remained. The No Surprises Act, which will go into effect January 1, 2022, will cover the over 6 million Californians with coverage regulated at the federal level who were not protected under AB 72. While the state law is stronger in many areas, the new federal law includes some reforms that are even more consumer friendly than state law. AB 510 will conform state law with federal law, particularly regarding a patients’ ability to consent to go out-of-network.

Affordability, Affordable Care Act, Budget, Consumer Protection, Cost Containment, COVID-19, Equity, Federal, Health4All, Legislation, LGBT, Medi-Cal, Mergers, Prescription Drugs, Surprise Bills, Trump, Undocumented

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 […]

Budget, COVID-19, Federal, Medi-Cal

New Senate GOP COVID-19 Relief Package Falls Short for Californians

US Senate Republicans today announced a new COVID-19 relief package that will do little to actually help struggling Californians. Beyond the reduced unemployment benefits negatively impacting millions of Californians, the new proposal includes no new aid to state and local governments, likely forcing major cuts to education, health care, and other vital human services that are […]

COVID-19, Expanding Coverage, Federal

New Senate GOP COVID-19 Relief Package Falls Short for Californians

Today, US Senate Republicans announced a new COVID-19 relief package that will do little to actually help struggling Californians. Beyond the reduced unemployment benefits negatively impacting millions of Californians, the new proposal includes no new aid to state and local governments, likely forcing major cuts to education, health care, and other vital human services that are needed now more than ever.