CAHP Statement: California Association of Health Plans President & CEO Releases Statement on 2019 Individual Market Rates

Covered California today announced health insurance rates for 2019, citing an average weighted statewide rate change of 8.7% as the exchange moves into its sixth year of operation. The rates reflect the ongoing changes to the Affordable Care Act at the federal level, particularly the decision to repeal the requirement to purchase health insurance coverage, as well as continued increased spending on medical care and several other factors.

CAHP Statement: The California Association of Health Plans Announces New Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs

The California Association of Health Plans (CAHP) today announced that Stephanie Shirkey has joined its staff as Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs. She will manage CAHP’s regulatory efforts with the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) and other stakeholders on behalf of CAHP’s 48 full-service health plans.

In Case You Missed It – Politico: New Jersey Will Become Second State to Enact Individual Health Insurance Mandate

A May 30 Politico article by Katie Jennings reports that New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed into law a bill that will require all New Jerseyans to have health insurance. The new law reinstates the individual mandate beginning Jan. 1, 2019. The federal government repealed the mandate late last year and it officially expires in 2019.

CAHP Statement: California’s Uninsured Expected to Increase by 500,000 to 1.2 Million Without Coverage Requirement: CAHP Urges Support for Coverage Requirement and Increased Subsidies

During today’s Covered California Board meeting, analyses provided by Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) and UCLA/UC Berkeley CalSIM show that the number of California’s uninsured is estimated to increase by 500,000 to 1.2 million. This is due to the federal government’s decision last year to eliminate the individual mandate to buy health insurance and to halt Cost Sharing Reductions (CSR’s) for low income individuals and families.

CAHP Statement: Drug Price Transparency Legislation Sweeping Across The Nation, Post-SB 17

California's 2017 passage of first-of-its-kind prescription drug price transparency legislation in the United States ushered in a new era of public reporting on egregious prescription drug price hikes - and other states are following suit.

CAHP Statement: CAHP Launches ‘We Bring’ Campaign

CAHP today launches the “We Bring” education campaign to raise awareness about how health plans are serving a critical role in the state’s health care system and driving satisfaction for their members.

In Case You Missed It – Asbury Park Press: New Jersey Lawmakers Approve Health Insurance Mandate

On April 12, 2018, the New Jersey legislature approved legislation to require all New Jerseyans to have health insurance. The bill, if signed by Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, would reinstate the individual mandate that the federal government repealed late last year. That federal mandate will officially expire in 2019. Other states are also considering legislation to enact state-level individual mandates.

CAHP Statement: CAHP Names New Vice President of State Programs

CAHP today announced Wendy Soe's promotion to Vice President of State Programs. Ms. Soe will lead CAHP's advocacy efforts related to government health coverage programs.

CAHP Statement: CAHP Supports Enacting a State-Based Individual Mandate

In the wake of the federal government’s November, 2017 decision to eliminate the individual mandate to buy health insurance effective in January, 2019, the California Association of Health Plans is urging state leaders to enact a state-based individual mandate as a way to stabilize California’s health care marketplace and protect the significant gains California has made under the Affordable Care Act.

CAHP Statement: Major Single Payer Implementation Challenges Raised During Assembly Hearing

The Assembly Select Committee on Health Care Delivery Systems and Universal Coverage held its latest hearing on February 5 highlighting the very real and significant obstacles to establishing a single payer health care system in California. Expert witnesses provided key testimony that highlighted how implementing a single payer system could be difficult to achieve. The select committee heard from experts on Proposition 98, the “Gann Limit,” the Medicare Trust Fund, ‘ERISA’ and other federal law considerations.