Assembly Bill Would Block ACA Tobacco Surcharge

Last week, Assembly member Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) introduced a bill (AB 1X2)  that would block an Affordable Care Act provision that allows insurers to charge smokers with an individual policy up to 50% more in premiums from being implemented in California. Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) vetoed a similar bill, but observers say the governor's move was in response to concerns about it being too early to set rules for the state's insurance marketplace.

• "Opponents of Tobacco Surcharge Worry Smokers Won't be Able To Afford Insurance" (Kisken, Ventura County Star, 2/5).