Calif. Considers Bill To Bar ‘Skinny’ Health Plans for Large Employers
California lawmakers are considering a new bill (AB 248) that would prevent large employers in the state from offering "skinny" health insurance plans to their workers, the Sacramento Business Journal reports. Such plans cover less than 60% of the cost of essential care.
Details of AB 248
Under the bill, by Assembly member Roger Hernández (D-West Covina), insurers would be banned from offering large employers such minimal coverage plans. Such a move would bar businesses with 50 or more employees from offering plans that cover less than 60% of the cost of essential care.
Employers still would be able to opt out of offering health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, subjecting them to a $3,000 penalty per worker.
Hernández said, "If our small business community is required to provide comprehensive health insurance to its employees, large employers have no excuse to not offer the same."
Hernández proposed similar legislation last year, but it was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown (D) (Young, Sacramento Business Journal, 2/12).
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