Latest California Healthline Stories
How Can California Exchange Minimize ‘Churning’?
We asked experts and stakeholders to suggest strategies in the building and operation of California’s new health insurance exchange that would minimize beneficiaries’ moving in and out of coverage — known as “churning.”
Do Health Insurers Deserve the Latest Public Hit?
As California health insurers announce a slew of rate hikes, a new report criticizes insurers’ profits and suggests that the federal health reform law remains imperative to tamping down rising premiums.
Who Wins if Republicans Repeal Health Reform Law?
The debate over the nation’s health care overhaul has reached its highest pitch in months, but most industry stakeholders are sitting out of Republicans’ fight to repeal the law. The industry’s silence illustrates an emerging consensus: with the exception of a few groups, even former opponents of the overhaul now want the law to stay.
Looking Back, Heading Forward: A Checkpoint on the Road to Reform
A year that began with unprecedented health reforms also featured unpredictable political twists and still unanswered questions over policy. As 2010 draws to a close, experts look back on the path to implementing the federal health law and what’s been tabled for next year.
Policy, Not Punditry: Update on Three Key Provisions
Speculation over the midterm elections’ effect on health reform has threatened to overshadow recent regulatory developments. Work to date on high-risk insurance pools, medical-loss ratios and accountable care organizations shows there are roadblocks beyond politics that could hamper reform.
Reform Rollout May Waver if More Seek Exemptions
HHS’ recent decision to grant waivers for health plans that would not meet a key provision of health reform exposes how stakeholders can weaken implementation by simply resisting its measures.
Exchanging Challenges in Health Plan Marketplace
While California is poised to emerge as a health reform leader with a new health insurance exchange, the state — like many — still faces numerous challenges over the exchange’s operation.
Employer System a Shaky Base for Health Reform
The health care overhaul built on the nation’s unique employer-based health insurance system, instead of revamping the model. However, a number of recent shocks to the system are creating new challenges for consumers and raising concerns ahead of coverage expansions in 2014.
Insurer Response Remains Key Story To Watch
The health industry’s focus is on HHS this week, as the department sprints to launch insurance portals and pools by key implementation deadlines. However, tensions between policymakers and private payers remain the long-term narrative to watch.
Despite Best Intentions, New Ratios Creating Problems
Requiring insurers to spend a certain amount on patient care was a widely acclaimed element of the health care overhaul. However, early efforts to set standards for medical-loss ratios are delayed, and resistance is growing. While some say industrywide MLR standards remain achievable, others are warning that it’s a “fool’s errand.”