Los Angeles Times Editorial Says Calif. Lawmakers Should Pass Two Bills To Address Provider Network Problems

The California "Legislature should pass" two bills that aim to correct problems related to health insurers' provider networks, a Los Angeles Times editorial states. The first bill (SB 137) would require insurers to make available online an up-to-date list of providers in their networks. The second bill (AB 533) would protect patients who are treated at an in-network hospital from being billed for out-of-network rates for care received at the facility. The editorial argues, "With the ACA requiring all adult Americans to buy coverage, insurers simply have to deliver accurate provider lists. And providers shouldn't be able to undermine that insurance by seeking out-of-network rates from patients who stay within their networks for care."

• "Editorial: Two Bills Protecting Patients in Health Care Networks Deserve Passage" (Los Angeles Times, 5/3).