Before Election Day, California's insurance exchange was slated to meet soon to map out its "long-term vision" for health reform. That conversation has suddenly shifted to whether the largest state-run marketplace has much of a long-term future itself. President-elect Donald Trump and Republican congressional leaders have vowed to quickly repeal the health law that keeps federal premium subsidies flowing to California. And those ... (More)
Calif. big loser as Trump wins
California has a lot to lose if President-elect Donald Trump and the Republican-led Congress fulfill their campaign pledge to repeal Obamacare. The Golden State fully embraced the Affordable Care Act by expanding Medicaid coverage for the poor and creating its own health insurance exchange for about 1.4 million enrollees. Supporters held California up as proof the health law could work as intended. But now President Barack Obama's ... (More)
Covered Cal rates in the mail
With open enrollment just around the corner -- beginning Nov. 1 and running through Jan. 31 -- the state Obamacare operation is encouraging consumers to begin their shopping now. Covered California began mailing out notices to its health-insurance customers the second week of October, most delivering some dose of sticker shock due to double-digit premium increases. "Most of those renewing with us get subsidies that mean they are ... (More)
Small biz premiums up 6%
Covered California's small group health program for business will see an average premium increase of just under 6 percent in 2017, the state Obamacare operation said. The exchange is bringing "choice, stability and rate moderation to employers, their employees and the many consumers who don't have employer-based coverage," Covered California chief Peter Lee said in announcing the average rates and program expansions. "The options ... (More)
Enrollment privacy bill signed
California's Obamacare customers who don't complete their application forms won't be hearing from insurance agents in the future, as the governor signed a bill that bars sharing of their data with private companies. Sponsor state Sen. Joel Anderson's statement about the signing said: "Before this bill, Covered California shared consumers' personal information with private companies without permission due to a security loophole, ... (More)
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