This week on the Health Access blog, we are cross-posting an important and personal story from our colleague Dannie Ceseña, Program Coordinator for the California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network (a project of Health Access). For over 30 years, Health Access has advocated for policies that protect patients when the health industry proposes to […]
Governor Brown Signs Bill to Improve Oversight of Health Plan Mergers
Last Friday, September 7th, Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 595 by Assemblymember Jim Wood which institutes stronger state oversight over health plan mergers, in a big win for patients and the public interest. With concerns about rising premiums, fewer choices, and competition in health insurance, Governor Brown is right to protect consumers with stronger oversight of health […]
Care4All California Agenda Advances in the Final Days of 2018 Legislative Session
Yesterday, Monday August 27th, the California Legislature passed a number of important health care bills part of the Care4All California campaign that seeks to move California towards a more accessible, equitable, and universal health care system. AB 595 by Assemblymember Wood, instituting stronger state oversight over health plan mergers, was passed on a preliminary 42-17 vote. In California, the top […]
State Legislation Update: AB 595 (Wood) to Increase Oversight Over Health Plan Mergers Passes Key Committee
In the midst of the ongoing federal fight, Health Access continues to advocate on behalf of consumers at the state level, sponsoring AB 595 (Wood) to strengthen state oversight over health plan mergers.
Aetna-Humana merger blocked
Earlier this week, we cheered the judicial decision to block Aetna’s proposed acquisition of Humana, one of the two big health insurance mega-mergers in the last year. U.S. Department of Justice had sued citing anti-trust concerns that the merger would lead to reduced competition, increased prices, and reduced quality. In hearings earlier this year, consumer […]
Justice Department Sues to Block 2 Big Health Insurance Mergers
Good news for health consumers! Last week, the US Justice Department (USDOJ) announced it is suing to block the Anthem-Cigna and Aetna-Humana mergers, which have been under intense scrutiny by regulators and consumer advocates. The suits allege these deals violate antitrust laws and will harm consumers, seniors, working families and individuals, and employers and healthcare […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]