When she was Pennsylvania’s insurance commissioner, Jessica Altman, the appointee of a Democratic governor, often bumped against the political limits of health care policy in a state where Republicans controlled the legislature. Despite the constraints of a divided government, Altman played a key role in persuading lawmakers in 2019 to join Gov. Tom Wolf in passing legislation that established Pennsylvania’s state-run Affordable Care ... (More)
Open enrollment under way
November 10, 2020 Leave a Comment
Covered California’s open enrollment period for 2021 coverage has officially begun, fueled by a $157 million marketing effort. The organization's executive director, Peter Lee, was joined Nov. 9 by L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and state Health and Human Services Agency secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly in a teleconference that kicked off promotion of the signup period. Ghaly, also Covered California's board chairman, warned that uninsured ... (More)
Covered Cal hikes average 0.5%
October 18, 2020 Leave a Comment
Covered California's rate increases for 2021 are averaging out at a tad less than expected -- at 0.5 percent. That's a record low for the state Obamacare operation, which heads into the new year with vast uncertainties due to the White House's attempts to dismantle federal support. The average preliminary rate change announced in August was revised downward from 0.6 percent. "The lower rate change is the result of reduced rates ... (More)
Covered Cal expects .6% rate hike
August 4, 2020 Leave a Comment
"California continues to show the nation what can be done when you build on and strengthen the Affordable Care Act," its executive director said in announcing an average rate increase of under 1 percent for the 2021 plan year. That 0.6 percent estimate would be the lowest increase since the launch of Obamacare. It comes on the heels of a rate hike of only 0.8 percent in 2020. A few carriers were predicted to have price hikes of as ... (More)
Analysis: Premiums could soar 40%
March 26, 2020 Leave a Comment
Premiums in the 2021 individual healthcare market could spike 40 percent or more in 2021, according to an analysis by Covered California. The rates for next year are being set "right now," and will be drastically affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the state Obamacare operation said March 24. "Given that insurers will be submitting 2021 rates in May and finalizing them around July 1, congressional action is needed very soon in ... (More)
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