Bills introduced to address health insurance issues in California

Governor Jerry Brown - California health insurance

California lawmakers look to provide consumers with more protection in the health insurance sector California lawmakers have introduced two bills to Governor Jerry Brown this week. Each of the bills is awaiting Brown’s approval, which lawmakers expect to come in short order. The bills are meant to provide consumers with more protection in the health insurance sector, preventing insurers from refusing coverage for those with pre-existing medical conditions and prohibiting the limitation of coverage or excessive charging for coverage of older consumers. The legislations are also meant to make the…

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California Health Benefit Exchange supported through new laws

Governor Jerry Brown - California health insurance

Governor passes new laws concerning California Health Benefit Exchange Last week, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a series of legislations designed to prepare the state for the coming of the California Health Benefit Exchange. The exchange program is part of the Affordable Care Act, which tasks states with building their own health insurance marketplace that is filled with affordable policies that are designed to meet the needs of consumers. The laws passed by Governor Brown aim create a positive environment for this exchange program to take root as…

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California officials mull over different methods of maintaining health reform in the state

As the U.S. Supreme Court continues to consider whether or not it is constitutional for the federal government to require Americans to buy health insurance, what is also being debated is whether or not it can push the individual states to broaden their Medicaid insurance coverage. It is predicted that the top court in the country will have made its decision by the end of June, right in the middle of the presidential election race. It was estimated by the Kaiser Family Foundation that if the law is upheld, California…

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Consumer Watchdog Campaign opposes Anthem Blue Cross insurance rate increases in California

Anthem Blue Cross has announced that they will be increasing insurance rates by as much as 20 percent for the health coverage paid for by almost 600,000 people in California by May 1, 2012. Consumer Watchdog Campaign released a statement that said that a ballot initiative for boosting the affordability of health insurance through the regulation of hikes in premiums is vital to protecting people in California from excessive increases. This ballot initiative would require insurers to provide a public justification of changes that they make to their rates, under…

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AS HEALTHCARE REFORM MARKS 2nd BIRTHDAY, BAY AREA COUNCIL URGES CONTINUED FOCUS ON CONTROLLING COSTS, IMPROVING HEALTH

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – As the Affordable Care Act marks its second birthday and prepares for a date with the U.S. Supreme Court, the Bay Area Council continues its work to ensure that implementation of the landmark law remains focused on controlling costs, providing access for all and improving patient health. “The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was an important step toward the creation of a healthcare system that provides high-quality affordable care,” said senior policy advisor, Micah Weinberg. “We are working with policymakers to ensure…

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