Gov. Brown Signs Bill Allowing Exchange Call Centers To Begin Hiring
On Monday, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed into law a bill (SB 509) that allows Covered California call centers in Rancho Cordova and elsewhere to begin hiring hundreds of workers to help sell health plans through the state insurance exchange, the Sacramento Bee reports (Sanders, Sacramento Bee, 6/19).
Background
Covered California primarily will serve individuals and small businesses.
Supporters hope that the exchange will function similarly to websites like Amazon and Expedia so that users will be able to choose among various health plans through an easily navigable online store.
The exchange is expected to open for registration in October, and an estimated five million people will purchase plans through the exchange in 2014 (California Healthline, 5/24)
Details of the Law
The new law requires background checks for potential call center workers.
According to the law, applicants can be rejected from employment at call centers for felony or misdemeanor charges, as well as a pending criminal charge involving moral turpitude.
Comments
Dana Howard, Covered California spokesperson, said the new law "was the key thing we needed to have resolved" before moving forward with hiring agents, managers and technology specialists for the centers.
Assembly member Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova) said that the background checks "are essential for consumer protection" (Sacramento Bee, 6/19). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.