Obamacare ruling no threat in Calif.

Consumers receiving health insurance subsidies via Covered California have little to worry about from the highly publicized court ruling that provides the latest threat to the Affordable Care Act, state officials say. Two U.S. courts of appeal issued Obamacare rulings this week, one maintaining that the federal government cannot provide health insurance subsidies in states that failed to set up their own insurance ... (More)

1.4 million get Calif. Obamacare

Almost 1.4 million Californians signed up for Obamacare policies during the first open enrollment period, a figure that well exceeded state goals. Nationally, 8 million people signed up for private health insurance via the Affordable Care Act, President Obama announced April 17. "This thing is working," Obama said at a White House press briefing. Covered California led with the big number in its wrap-up, saying "more than 3 ... (More)

Sebelius out as Obamacare leader

President Obama's point person on the Affordable Care Act has resigned, a victim of the disastrous performance of the federal Obamacare web site. Kathleen Sebelius, head of the Department of Health and Human Services, will be replaced by Office of Management and Budget Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell, an economist with little hands-on experience in the health care field. The resignation of Sebelius (pictured) was not a surprise as ... (More)

Huerta to Latinos: Get covered

The California Obamacare operation has enlisted labor leader and activist Dolores Huerta to encourage Latinos to sign up for health insurance before the March 31 deadline. Huerta, famed for her work with Cesar Chavez, said if the late labor-rights activist "were here today, he would say to everyone who needs to get enrolled, especially our young people." Huerta was a co-founder of the group that became United Farm Workers, The ... (More)

No payment extension in Calif.

Customers who buy insurance policies through Covered California won't be getting extra time to make their first premium payments. The deadline for payments on policies that begin Jan. 1 remains Jan. 6, Covered California said. The 6th already reflects an extension for California. Meanwhile, Covered California said all systems were go for the Dec. 23 signup deadline, and it has the amount of previously filed paper applications ... (More)