Thanks to work from many folks here, including notably jpmassar and Seneca Doane, I bring you the good news that AB52, regulation of insurance rates, has passed out of the Appropriations Committee today and will move on for a full vote on the Senate floor!
For more news, watch Asm. member Feuer's website for a press release, they may issue one - it is not up yet.
http://asmdc.org/...
Introduced in December 2010, AB 52 would require health plans and insurers to seek approval from state regulators prior to raising health care premiums, copayments, deductibles, or other out of pocket costs. It would build upon newly-implemented federal and state law improving the health insurance rate filing and review process.
"Health insurers continue to announce premium increases that far outpace the rate of medical inflation. These significant rate increases come once, twice or even four times within a year’s time on the same policyholders. Californians have been calling on me to reject excessive rate increases, but I lack the authority to do so. Since I first introduced this bill in 2007, health insurance has become unaffordable for a few million more Californians. Over 10,000 Californians spoke out in favor of my bill last year. Now, we need to pass AB 52, which would give me the authority I need to reject excessive rate increases. This legislation is supported by families and small businesses because health insurance rate hikes have become unsustainable and they want me to have the authority to reject excessive rate hikes," explained Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones.
12:29 PM PT: You can call your senator to urge a yes vote on AB52. The list of senators with a map is here: http://senate.ca.gov/...