Insurance

Kaiser Spends $20 Million Opposing State Ballot Measures, Is Top Campaign Donor in California

September 10, 2014 · Mark Reback

Oakland-based Kaiser is spending big in an effort to defeat two state ballot measures this campaign season. Though the November election is still two months away, the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan has already spent a whopping $20 million, according to a<a href="http://www.fppc.ca.gov/top10nov2014/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> report from the California Fair Political Practices Commission</a> (FPPC).

Oakland Tribune Editorial: If You Like Proposition 103, Then You Will Reall Like Prop. 45

September 9, 2014 · Mark Reback

Californians passed Proposition 103 in 1987, regulating auto insurance rates and saving drivers tens of billions of dollars over 25 years. California's drivers have enjoyed some of the lowest auto insurance rates in the nation because of this law.

Lopsided Battle Over Proposition 45

September 8, 2014 · Mark Reback

<a href="http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/sep/08/lopsided-battle-over-prop-45/">Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment</a>. The fight over <a data-ajax="false" data-transition="none" href="http://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_45,_Public_Notice_Required_for_Insurance_Company_Rates_Initiative_%282014%29" rel="external">Proposition 45</a> is shaping up to be a contest between insurance companies and consumer advocates. And so far, insurance companies have the upper hand.

What’s Behind Health Regulators’ Bickering Over Prop. 45?

September 8, 2014 · Mark Reback

Tolstoy's line about all unhappy families being <a href="http://www.literature.org/authors/tolstoy-leo/anna-karenina/part-01/chapter-01.html">unhappy in their own way</a> hardly needs validation from us in the 21st century. But still it would be interesting to see what he'd make of the increasingly bitter division between two state agencies that should be working hand in hand to improve health insurance coverage for Californians: the state's individual health insurance exchange, Covered California; and the Department of Insurance.

Insurers Spending $37M To Fight California Rate Regulation Initiative

September 4, 2014 · Mark Reback

Insurers Using Familiar Playbook to Protect Profits in California

September 2, 2014 · Mark Reback

For the next two months, Californians will to be subjected to a barrage of TV, radio and online ads, which, ironically, they unknowingly will be paying for with their health insurance premiums. The ads are a part of a multipronged, multimillion-dollar campaign -- developed by public relations, advertising firms and political consultants for the state's biggest insurers -- to convince voters that an initiative on the Nov. 4 ballot designed to protect them against unreasonable rate increases will actually cause their premiums to go up.

Mercury News Editorial: If You Liked Prop 103, Pass Prop 45

August 29, 2014 · Mark Reback

<div style="font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Californians passed Proposition 103 in 1987, regulating auto insurance rates and saving drivers tens of billions of dollars over 25 years. California's drivers have enjoyed some of the lowest auto insurance rates in the nation because of this law.</div> <div style="font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </div>

States Step In to Put a Lid on Health Costs

August 28, 2014 · Mark Reback

<div id="article_body" itemprop="articleBody"> As a California state lawmaker, Dave Jones sponsored four bills that would have given insurance regulators authority to reject health-plan rate hikes, as they can in 35 other states. None became law. Now that he’s California’s state insurance commissioner, and running for a second term, Jones wants California voters to grant him that power directly.

3 Ways Insurers Can Discourage Sick From Enrolling

August 27, 2014 · Mark Reback

Insurers can no longer reject customers with expensive medical conditions thanks to the health care overhaul. But consumer advocates warn that companies are still using wiggle room to discourage the sickest — and costliest — patients from enrolling. Some insurers are excluding well-known cancer centers from the list of providers they cover under a plan; requiring patients to make large, initial payments for HIV medications; or delaying participation in public insurance exchanges created by the overhaul.

Lloyd Monserrat – Harbor City, CA

August 25, 2014 · Mark Reback

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2793" alt="" class="right" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/images_lloydmonserrat.jpg" style="width: 311px; height: 318px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="624" height="639" />Lloyd Monserratt was a UCLA grad, a rising star in California politics, a Latino Vote Director for the DCCC, a Director at NALEO, a Chief of Staff to a LA City Councilmember and LAUSD School Board Member, and a consultant to elected officials. He and his fiancée were planning their wedding.

Why I Support Prop 45: A 24% Decrease Hooked Me into a 92% Increase to $2,300 per Month

August 22, 2014 · rob

“The letter stated directly that I would be getting $376 in savings…. When my first invoice arrived, I was shocked to see that the monthly premium was $2,300 -- almost double the rate quoted in the initial letter!”

Poll: 69% Favor Prop. 45 Measure on Regulating Health Insurance Rates

August 20, 2014 · Mark Reback

A new poll shows 69% of California voters back Proposition 45, a November ballot measure giving the insurance commissioner the power to stop excessive health-insurance rate increases. The Field Poll released Wednesday indicates broad support statewide for Proposition 45 ahead of what's expected to be a costly and contentious battle between consumer groups and health insurers. Overall, 69% of registered voters said they favored the health-rate regulation measure while 16% opposed it and 15% were undecided heading into the Nov. 4 election.

Prop 103 California Insurance Reform

New Bill Requires Insurance Companies to Offer and Renew Insurance Coverage for Fire-Safe Homes

Homeowners Dropped by Insurers