Latest California Healthline Stories
Three of the Most Over-Hyped Health Care Reform Stories of 2013
This edition of “Road to Reform” explores three Affordable Care Act news stories that got more attention than they deserved in 2013, including the debate over the fairness of delaying the employer mandate but not the individual mandate.
Majority of Uninsured Plan To Get Coverage by 2014, New Poll Suggests
A new poll suggests most Californians know about Covered California, the state’s new health benefit exchange, and a majority of the uninsured say they’re planning to be covered by 2014.
Early data suggest that customers are using the new health insurance exchange to pick plans from large, familiar companies like Anthem and Kaiser, even if plans from smaller companies are comparable in price.
When Health Plans Drop Your Doctor: Are Narrow Networks a Bad Idea?
Many health plans on Covered California and other insurance exchanges exclude some prominent doctors and hospitals. The trade-off — less access for lower prices — has raised concerns and even spurred lawsuits, but experts say it’s the likely direction for the nation’s health system.
Insurance Commissioner Explains Reasons Behind Reversing Anthem Cancellations
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones discussed the reasons behind the 104,000 Anthem Blue Cross policy cancellations and what led to the temporary reinstatement of those policies.
How Many People Are Losing Their Plans Under Obamacare, Really?
The swirl of political attention around “Obamacare cancellation letters” has tended to ignore the policy realities — including that most people receiving cancellation letters are being offered other plans. Here’s a closer look at how many plans are being canceled and four other key questions dogging the Affordable Care Act’s latest hot-button issue.
Campaign Advocates Health Coverage for Undocumented Immigrants in California
On the heels of three new state laws making life easier for undocumented immigrants, the California Endowment is launching a campaign urging the state to find a way to get health coverage for the estimated one million undocumented Californians left out of the Affordable Care Act.
No Health Care for Young Men? Debating a Generation’s Feelings on Obamacare
As the enrollment period for Obamacare’s health insurance exchanges nears, experts are debating whether young, healthy adults will purchase plans in the marketplaces. Research shows some young adults know very little about the health law, while observers wonder if they value insurance enough to buy it.
Bill Aimed at Kaiser Hits Home Stretch
A bill seeking more transparency in premium pricing from large California health insurers — specifically Kaiser Permanente — heads into the legislative home stretch this week.
$9 Million Grant for Consumer Outreach
The state’s consumer outreach effort got a boost last week with the announcement of more than $9 million in grant money to help Californians navigate new health insurance options.