(From our longtime policy advocate Beth Capell): As we have listened to people in town halls and legislative hearings about the potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), we have been struck time and again by how vividly consumers remember the pre-ACA world. What they say is some version of “I didn’t have the […]
Consumer Advocates Raise Concerns About Aetna-Humana Mega-Merger at CDI Hearing
On April 27, the California Department of Insurance held a hearing on the proposed merger of Aetna and Humana. This hearing takes place after a public meeting held by the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) in January. This hearing comes on the heels of a Senate Health Committee hearing this month on SB 932 […]
Legislative Priorities Clear Deadlines
As the April 22 policy deadline approached, all of Health Access’ priority bills made it over the finish line. Last week, the legislative committees voted on two important bills that will increase transparency in our health care system. Transparency for Prescription Drug Costs Prescription drugs are the health service most commonly used by consumers and […]
Patient-Protection Bills Moving Forward in Legislature
With the legislative session in full-swing, Health Access California’s bills are moving full steam ahead! Last week, SB 908 and SB 1135 both passed the Senate Health Committee. SB 1135 (Monning) helps consumers know there are time limits on how long they have to wait to get health care appointments and who to complain to if […]
Covered California Board Addresses 1332 Waiver, Quality Requirements, Special Enrollment Verification and other Hot Topics
This blog was written by Kate Burch On April 7, 2016, the Covered California Board addressed several hot topics at their April meeting. You can find a recording of the board meeting, links to the presentations, and links to all of the proposed regulations, attachments, etc. here. 1332 Waiver Report Stakeholders and experts have been very […]
Wonkery for Your Week
We wanted to spotlight two of the recent Health Wonk Reviews, a biweekly compendium of the best from the health policy blogosphere. Last week, Charles Gaba at ACAsignups.net (the best place to track Obamacare enrollment nationally) had a very California-heavy edition, with posts about Covered California’s quality initiatives, our death-with-dignity law, and our post about […]
First Patient Protection Bills Up in Committee Next Week
UPDATE: The hearing for these bills has been pushed backed to a later date. Stay tuned for more information. (3/25/2016) When the Legislature comes back from Spring Break next week, the Senate Health Committee will be hearing two consumer protection bills, SB 908 and SB 1135 on Wednesday, March 30. Both of these bills are […]
New Timely Access to Care Standards Adopted by CA Department of Insurance
On March 9, consumer advocates cheered the new standards announced by the California Department of Insurance for health insurers to create and maintain accurate provider directories. The new standards also require insurers to have adequate numbers and types of providers in their networks so consumers can get the care they need when they need it. […]
Anthem Blue Cross-Cigna’s Troubling Track Records Spotlighted at DMHC Public Meeting
On March, 4, 2016, the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) held a public meeting on the proposed takeover of Cigna by Anthem Blue Cross. The public meeting was requested by consumer groups including Health Access, Consumers Union, and others to raise questions about the structure of the deal, its potential impact on California’s patients […]
Covered CA Board Takes Big Steps on Standardized Benefit Design and Quality/Equity Measures; Considers New Barriers to Special Enrollment
Thursday’s Covered California Board meeting, the first since the last day of open enrollment 2013, offered a deep dive on the standardized benefit designs and the quality/equity framework that will guide contracting with insurers for the next 3-year cycle (2017-2019), and a heated discussion about the new documentation requirements that insurers are calling for to qualify […]