Editorial, Opinion Piece Back New Balance Billing Rules

Instead of adopting new legislation, an editorial urges lawmakers to step back and see what effect new rules will have as set down by the Department of Managed Health Care that bar out-of-network charges for emergency care. Meanwhile, in an opinion piece, DMHC Director Cindy Ehnes writes that the new regulations "protect consumers because, until the two sides can come to a compromise, patients should not be picking up the tab."

• "Editorial: Let New Rule on ER Billing Have Chance" (Sacramento Bee, 8/23).
• "Another View: Patients Squeezed by Health-Cost Duel" (Ehnes, Sacramento Bee, 8/31).