Healthcare News - California

Lawmakers Stump For Role Of Insurance Agents In Reform
Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:00:00 GMT
Last week, a 25-member bipartisan group of lawmakers sent a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius calling for the soon-to-be launched health insurance exchanges and federal health care website to include information on health insurance agents and brokers. The lawmakers wrote that agents and brokers have a role "both inside and outside health insurance exchanges" and could serve as a consumer resource when the government's Web portal -- healthcare.gov -- is finalized on Oct. 1. Politico.

SEIU Says Rival Union Deal Would Set Poor Precedent
Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:00:00 GMT
Leaders of the Service Employees International Union Local 721 in Los Angeles are criticizing a contract proposal being voted on by the Engineers and Architects Association union that would have members of the engineers' union pay higher health care costs. SEIU Local 721 argues that the proposal contains "unprecedented and dangerous" concessions by union members. Health care costs in Los Angeles are expected to grow from $361 million to $514 million across five years, according to budget analysts, and city officials view the contract proposal as one way to rein in costs. Los Angeles Times.

Kaiser, Anthem Show Little Interest In New Federal High-Risk Pool
Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:00:00 GMT
Two major California insurers said they do not plan to participate in the new high-risk health insurance pool that the state is creating under the federal health reform law. Both insurers already participate in the state's existing high-risk pool. Sacramento Business Journal.

Anthem Blue Cross Hires New President Following Predecessor's Departure
Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:00:00 GMT
Pam Kehaly, a former Aetna executive, has been named president and general manager of Anthem Blue Cross after former president Leslie Margolin resigned last week. Anthem has faced intense criticism this year over proposed rate hikes. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee.

Poizner Announces New E-mail Program Alerting Residents To Rate Hikes
Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:00:00 GMT
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner recently announced that residents can sign up to receive e-mails notifying them when health insurers file rate increases for individual health insurance policies. Modern Healthcare, California Department of Insurance release