On February 20, 2018 the Trump Administration’s Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a proposed rule to extend the use of so-called “short-term” health insurance plans from three months to a year, and otherwise promote the use of these substandard “junk” policies that would not follow Affordable Care Act consumer protections. Such “short-term” plans could deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, do not have to cover essential health benefits, and can impose annual and lifetime limits on how much care they will cover. Health Access, and other health and consumer organizations urge the state Legislature to protect patients by passing SB 910, by Senator Ed Hernandez, to ban such “short-term” insurance. These short-term coverage plans are actually a […] Read More

Yesterday, President Trump signed an executive order that threatens to undermine insurance markets around the country. It directs federal agencies to craft rules allowing broader use of Association Health Plans and short-term health insurance, creating large loopholes in the Affordable Care Act’s requirements around minimum benefits and protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Consumer and health advocates are urging California policymakers to pass legislation to limit these substandard plans, protect coverage, and prevent premium spikes. This Executive Order is an audaciously destructive attempt to undermine insurance markets and consumer protections across the country. Creating these loopholes means that people will likely see increased premiums and limited choices, particularly those with pre-existing conditions, a group that Trump the Congressional leaders have repeatedly […] Read More

With only two weeks to go until Covered California open enrollment, it’s no wonder it was standing room only at today’s Marketing, Outreach, and Enrollment Assistance Advisory Group (MOEA) meeting at Covered California headquarters. Chaired by Health Access’ own Anthony Wright, it has been restructured:instead of separate committees representing communities of color groupings (African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Latino), the communities of color groups are integrated with the larger advisory group, but they can also meet apart to generate community-specific input as needed. The discussion already feels more lively and productive under the new structure. Much of the meeting was spent digesting the lessons from year 1 of open enrollment. As noted in the meeting, Covered California staff have done a […] Read More