Health-care uninsured rate at low

The U.S. uninsured rate for health care fell to 11.4 percent in the second quarter of 2015, reflecting sharp declines among minorities and lower-income groups, researchers say. The 11.4 percent mark for adults is the lowest recorded since the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index began in 2008. The uninsured rate has dropped nearly six percentage points since the fourth quarter of 2013, just before the requirement for Americans to ... (More)

Kaiser, Anthem extend deadlines

More deadlines are being extended in the wake of problems with implementation of the Affordable Care Act in California and across the nation. Kaiser Permanente, Anthem Blue Cross and Health Net previously joined other Covered California-affiliated carriers in extended their deadlines for payments for the first month's premiums to Jan. 15. Now they're going further. Kaiser is giving its new customers until Jan. 22 to pay their ... (More)

Brown signs key health care bills

Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law two key pieces of health care legislation linked to the Affordable Care Act. Brown approved ABx1-2 and the similar SBx1-2 on May 9. Although the Affordable Care Act -- also known as Obamacare -- is almost universally resisted by Republicans, the legislation's passage and enactment were all but assured. The bills make extensive changes to the health care landscape in California, setting the stage ... (More)

Pre-existing program vote delayed

Facing a veto threat from the White House, House Republicans have backed off on a plan to reinstate enrollments in a program providing health insurance for people with pre-existing conditions. The plan to divert Affordable Care Act funds to the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) was scheduled for an April 24 vote, but GOP leaders delayed it indefinitely. The White House said programs under the Prevention and Public ... (More)