“Today’s Republican House vote will rob 24 million Americans of health care coverage, which is tantamount to a death sentence for some patients who depend on coverage to manage serious and chronic medical conditions. The President and House Republicans have nothing to be proud of today as they work to take health care coverage away from millions of Americans who will be harmed by their actions.
Appeals court affirms Commissioner’s authority to protect health consumers
The California Court of Appeal has rejected health insurers’ lawsuit against Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones challenging regulations he issued to protect consumers from unlawful cancellations of their health insurance. The Association of California Life and Health Insurers (ACLHIC) sued Commissioner Jones to invalidate his regulations that protect consumers from having their insurance unfairly terminated, claiming the commissioner lacked the authority to adopt them and that they were inconsistent with statute.
Anthem & California Insurance Commissioner Respond To Blocked Cigna Merger
“Anthem is significantly disappointed by the decision as combining Anthem and Cigna would positively impact the health and well-being of millions of Americans – saving them more than $2 billion in medical costs annually,” said Joseph R. Swedish, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Anthem.
New California online healthcare price and quality tool released
Commissioner Jones directed the California Department of Insurance to obtain federal Affordable Care Act grant funds to enhance transparency in healthcare pricing. Commissioner Jones then partnered with UCSF and Consumer Reports to create California Healthcare Compare (HealthcareCompare.insurance.ca.gov), a first step in achieving cost and quality transparency in California’s healthcare marketplace.
Insurance Commissioner raises concerns about impacts of health insurance mergers on competition, choice and prices
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones issued the following statement today after Anthem Blue Cross announced plans to acquire Cigna Corporation:
“The Department of Insurance will carefully review the proposed merger of Anthem Blue Cross and Cigna Corporation, as well as the proposed mergers of other health insurers.