Health Care, Legislation and the Year Ahead for California
By Jeff Bader, Contributing Editor
In the six years since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became law, California Association of Health Underwriters (CAHU) has become a respected stakeholder in Covered California as well as with carriers and providers. That was the message delivered by Patrick Burns, CAHU Immediate Past President, before 60 SVAHU members and guests at the Silicon Valley chapter's March meeting.
Burns reviewed the 2015 legislative session and addressed what lies ahead for 2016 for the State's health care industry, with a spotlight on health insurance. The defeat of Proposition 45 in 2014 was a big win for health insurance professionals, and momentum from the campaign was a "huge positive in our efforts to support SB 1063," said Burns. The CAHU sponsored bill lead to protecting agent commissions and carrier contracts.
In 2016, the expectation is that both the June and November ballots will create a very dynamic environment at the Capitol. Governor Jerry Brown's proposed tax swap package could mean that the State would continue to receive over $1 billion in federal matching ACA money. The tax on managed care organizations would apply to around two dozen health plans that serve Medi-Cal patients leaving those carrier's finances an unknown.
Key issues in the health care industry will be patient privacy as well as access to information and to providers. The role of the health insurance professional may escalate once again.
According to Burns CAHU continues to work with lawmakers including ongoing dialog with CA Senate President pro tem Kevin de Leon (D24)
Assembly members Jim Wood (D2) and Nora Campos (D27) of the Health Policy and State Appropriations Committees. Characterizing CAHU's grass roots efforts Burns said, "We're not part of the big money tribe, we're advocates in the middle trying to m
ake things work for every day consumers."
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