Federal regulators step in to take charge of Idaho’s review of insurance rates

A number of private insurance companies in Idaho have submitted rate increase proposals to the state’s Department of Insurance. Normally, the issues would be handled by state regulators, but the federal government will be stepping in to handle the investigation beginning in the fall. This move is inspired by an executive order from Governor C.L. Otter, which has banned the state from adhering to the overarching federal health care law. Otter’s order means that the state is unable to comply with federal regulations regarding insurance rates. Because the state cannot…

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Committee vote passes bill to allow state officials to halt health insurance rate increases

A bill in California has been passed through a committee vote that would give state officials the authority to regulate insurance rates by being able to reject increases that health insurance companies have proposed. The bill was approved by the Senate Health Committee by a vote of 5-3. This measure, called AB52, will now proceed to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Representatives of insurance companies, hospitals, and doctors have been working to try to diminish or end the bill, but they each did so for their own reasons. Should the bill…

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