Implementation of the ground-breaking California law to provide transparency and notice of prescription drug price increases is moving ahead full steam. The law will take effect on January 1, 2018, but the the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) has already made live the registry for public and private purchasers to receive 60-day notice […]
New year, new bill, new momentum for prescription drug price transparency…
During the campaign, President Trump vowed he would “bring down drug prices” through negotiation and other means, and earlier this year repeated that promise, saying the drug companies were “getting away with murder.” Yet when the President actually met with PHRMA CEOs just a month and a half ago, he seemed to capitulate to the […]
The Fight Continues on Prescription Drug Costs, Despite the Demise of SB 1010
Big Pharma may have big money, but every voter knows someone personally concerned about the rising cost of prescription drugs. By bill or ballot measure or some other means, there has to be transparency and some relief on prescription drug prices.
Key Patient Rights Legislation Up Next Week
Yesterday, the Assembly Health Committee passed one consumer protection measure, SB 923 (Hernandez) on a vote of 17-0, to prevent mid-year increases in co-payments and other cost-sharing by a health plan. Other key legislation also authored by Senate Health Committee Chair Dr. Ed Hernandez and sponsored by Health Access California to protect patients from unfair […]
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 […]
Labor and Consumer Groups Join Forces to Stop Surprise Medical Bills
This week, consumer and patient advocates re-launched their effort to prevent Californians from facing surprise out-of-network medical bills. Due to the failure of the legislature to act last year, California consumers continue to receive surprise medical bills from out-of-network providers after using in-network medical facilities. These bills could come from an out-of-network anesthesiologist, pathologist, radiologist […]
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 […]
2015 Legislative Scorecard Evaluates CA Legislators’ Votes on Key Health Issues
Today, Health Access California released our 2015 Legislative Scorecard which evaluates and scores California legislators’ voting record on critical health care policies. The scorecard rates legislators based on how they voted on key health care consumer issues during the last legislative session. The scorecard reports on key pieces of legislation sponsored and supported by Health Access […]
Covered CA Unveils Next Stage of Delivery System Reform: Highlights from January 21, 2016 Board Meeting
Thursday’s Covered CA Board meeting featured an overview of certification parameters for Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) to be offered in 2017, proposed changes in benefit design, and new data-driven initiatives to improve quality and equity over time. As Governor Brown said proudly in his State of the State address earlier that day, California has “wholeheartedly […]