Insurance

Californians Spent $250 Million On Excessive Health Premiums, Group Says

July 2, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>SACRAMENTO Calif. (Reuters) - Californians paid a quarter of a billion dollars in health insurance premiums during a 15-month period ended last year that were deemed excessive by state regulators, a consumer group said Wednesday.<br /> <br /> Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog, which released the figures on Wednesday, is pushing Proposition 45, a ballot initiative that would give regulators the power to reject rate increases determined to be excessive.<br /> <br />

Need For Ballot Measure On Health Insurance Rate Regulation Debated

July 2, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Kicking off a major ballot fight this year, California lawmakers pressed the state's insurance commissioner to defend a proposal that would grant his agency sweeping new authority over health insurance rates.</p> <p>At a legislative hearing Wednesday, backers and opponents of the statewide ballot measure on health insurance rate regulation called Proposition 45 squared off for the first time in a public debate. Before the hearing, supporters of Proposition 45 rallied in Sacramento and accused health insurers of putting profits ahead of patient care.</p>

Prop. 45 Sparks Turf War Over Health Insurance Regulation In California

July 2, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<div class="js-pagination" data-maxpages="1"> <div class="story__content__body "> <p>SACRAMENTO — A turf war over health insurance regulation broke out in the Legislature on Wednesday, pitting the state's new health insurance-purchasing exchange against Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones and other supporters of a November ballot initiative.</p> <p>Proposition 45 would give the insurance commissioner authority to review proposed health insurance premium rate increases and determine whether they are justified.</p>

We’re Not Buying Comcast/Time Warner Claims

June 19, 2014  ·  John M. Simpson

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2782" alt="" src="https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/images_comcasttimewarner.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 111px; float: right;" width="160" height="89" />People aren’t buying the bafflegab being spouted by mega moguls claiming that the $45.2 billion merger of cable TV giants Comcast and Time Warner Cable would benefit consumers.<br /> <br />

Covered California Questions Health Insurance Initiative

June 19, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Ahead of its <a href="http://board.coveredca.com/meetings/2014/6-19/PDFs/Agenda%20%28Open%29%20-%20June%202014%20Board%20Meeting_Public.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">board meeting</a> Thursday, Covered California officials are raising questions — literally — about a November ballot initiative that some say could destabilize the state’s health insurance marketplace.</p>

Covered California Questions Rate Review Ballot Initiative

June 19, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

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Ballot Measure Won’t Disrupt Obamacare In California, Backers Say

June 19, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>In response to concerns raised by California's health exchange, backers of a statewide ballot measure on health insurance rate regulation insisted Thursday that the measure would not disrupt how Obamacare works in the state.</p> <p>Consumer groups and California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones are pushing for more authority over health premiums for consumers and small businesses. In November, voters will decide whether to give the insurance commissioner veto power over rate increases.</p>

California Health Exchange Wants To Analyze Rate Initiative

June 19, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>California's health insurance exchange pressed for answers Thursday to how an initiative slated for the November ballot would affect its operations.</p> <p><strong>Covered California</strong> board members said they want an expedited analysis of the measure, including its influence on the exchange and its consumers. The as-yet-unnumbered initiative, advanced by <strong>Consumer Watchdog</strong> and Democratic Insurance Commissioner <strong>Dave Jones</strong>, would allow the insurance commissioner to reject excessive health insurance rate hikes.</p>

It’s Like This: Morning Drive

June 19, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>I do like my Apple “smart phone.” The device has plenty of apps, bells, music and lots of stuff I have no idea how to use.</p> <p>One place where the phone comes in really handy is when I am in a strange city and a friend calls and says, let’s meet at the Pirate’s Hangover. I punch the button and ask my Siri, “Give me directions to Pirate’s Hangover.”</p>

California Ballot Measures Are Where The Money Will Be In November

June 14, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p class="bodytext"><span id="mn_Global"><span id="MNGiSection">Insurance rate hikes, medical malpractice and water tunnels might not generate the kind of passionate water-cooler debate you'd find over marijuana, abortion and the death penalty.</span></span></p>

Reference Pricing Would Let Insurers Cap What They Pay For Procedures

May 29, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>After getting a green light earlier this month from the administration of President Barack Obama, more employers may begin to cap what they pay for certain medical treatments, such as joint replacements and drugs, potentially shifting more costs to workers.</p>

Calif. Ballot Initiative Seeks Health Insurance Price Controls

May 27, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>A ballot initiative before California voters in November could challenge insurance coverage set up under Obamacare, imposing the same kind of price controls on health insurance that already exist on the state's auto, property, and casualty insurance.<br /> <br />