Insurance

Props 45 & 46: This Won’t Hurt. Much

October 7, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p><i>The following analyses represent my opinions. The SD Free Press editorial board may or may not agree with me. For all our articles on the upcoming election, check out our <a href="http://sandiegofreepress.org/category/politics/nov-2014-election/#.VDNkovldW-Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2014 Progressive Voter’s Guide.</a></i></p> <p>There are no special interests more special than insurance companies, doctors and lawyers. Here we have two propositions involving all three groups. And there is more subterfuge going on than anybody can keep track of.</p>

Prop. 45: Will It Help Or Hurt Consumers?

October 6, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p><a href="http://www.scpr.org/news/2014/10/06/47157/prop-45-will-it-help-or-hurt-consumers/">Click here to listen to the audio of this radio news broadcast</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.yeson45.org/read-initiative">Proposition 45 on the November state ballot </a>would give the California insurance commissioner’s office the same power to regulate health insurance costs as the office has over auto and homeowner rates.</p>

Ad Watch: Rate-Regulation Opponents Parrot Misleading Claims

October 4, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The coalition trying to stop the rate-regulation initiative on the Nov. 4 ballot has gone up with another <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuM0B0Zt-1c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TV ad</a>, this one focusing on small-business owners.

Proposition 45 At A Glance

October 4, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

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Proposition 45 Seeks Health Insurance Rate Review

October 4, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p><span class="dateline">SACRAMENTO, Calif.

Prop. 45: Tougher Rules on Health Insurance Rates

October 3, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p><a href="http://www.kqed.org/a/forum/R201410030900">Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast</a>.</p> <p>As part of our ongoing California Election Watch 2014 coverage we'll discuss Proposition 45, which would give the California state insurance commissioner the authority to reject excessive health insurance premium rate hikes.</p> <p><strong>Host: </strong>Judy Campbell</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 4px;"><strong>Guests:</strong></p>

Insurers Poised To Cancel Health Plans That Don’t Comply With Affordable Care Act

October 2, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Thousands of consumers who were granted a reprieve to keep insurance plans that do not meet the federal health law’s standards are now learning those plans will be discontinued at year’s end, and they will have to choose a new, possibly more costly policy.</p> <p>Cancellations are in the mail to customers in markets where insurers say the policies no longer make business sense. In some states, such as Maryland and Virginia, rules call for the plans’ discontinuation, but in many, federal rules allow the policies to continue through 2017.</p>

Health Insurance Rates: Who’s The Decider?

October 2, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p><a href="http://www.kcrw.com/news-culture/shows/which-way-la/health-insurance-rates-whos-the-decider">Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast</a>.</p> <p>It’s lawyers versus insurance companies on the November ballot--with Obamacare in the background. That’s according to TV commercials for and against Proposition 45. We’ll go behind the slogans and catchwords with supporters and opponents of a measure that could impact your pocket book.</p>

Health Insurers Spending Millions To Beat Pro-Consumer Ballot Measures

October 1, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The latest campaign spending figures on California's two big healthcare ballot initiatives are just in, courtesy of the watchdog group MapLight, and they're mind-boggling.</p> <p>If you're curious about one significant driver of healthcare costs, here it is: Health insurance companies have so far contributed more than $88 million to defeat two plainly pro-consumer measures.</p>

Prop 45 Health Insurance Reform Debate Heats Up

October 1, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://abc7.com/video/embed/?pid=333051" width="476"></iframe></p> <p>Judy Graff Fisher and Diana Guth are small business owners who say their health insurance rates have gotten out of hand.</p> <p>"It has been a struggle. Every single year I dread the open enrollment... because every single year there's a raise," Guth said.</p> <p>Fisher said her health insurance cost $406 a month in January.</p>

Battle Over Proposition 45 A Blast From The Past

September 25, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p class="bodytext">A quarter-century ago, a then-obscure consumer group in Santa Monica led a revolt at the ballot box that changed the world of insurance in California forever.</p>

Insurance Companies Accused Of Bait And Switch

September 25, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Sept. 25--WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. -- After claiming he paid way more for insurance that delivered way less and waited on hold for hours to complain, Kevin McCarthy said he needed a way to get Blue Shield of California's attention.</p> <p>So he sued them.</p> <p>The Westlake Village resident and his wife, Jane, are among the lead plaintiffs in one of two lawsuits against insurance companies announced Thursday by the Consumer Watchdog organization.</p>