Group Challenges Insurers’ Work on Health Care Overhaul
The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights questioned the motives of some members of a coalition announced Tuesday to lobby for health care reform in California, the AP/San Jose Mercury News reports. The Santa Monica-based consumer advocacy group indicated that some private health insurers participating in the coalition are working to sidestep proposals for the state to regulate health insurance rates (Lawrence, AP/San Jose Mercury News, 2/7).
Founding members of the alliance are:
- Blue Shield of California;
- California Medical Association;
- Catholic Healthcare West, the state's largest not-for-profit hospital chain;
- Health Net;
- Kaiser Permanente; and
- Service Employees International Union (California Healthline, 2/7).
David Olson, a spokesperson for Health Net, said the insurer's position is that "the market is the best regulator of prices."
In announcing the coalition Tuesday, Karen Nikos, a spokesperson for the California Medical Association, said the coalition has not lined up behind a single health care reform plan. She said the coalition "want[s] to make sure that something gets done this legislative session," adding, "The only way that can happen is if a whole group of stakeholders work together" (AP/San Jose Mercury News, 2/7). 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.