Healthcare

A Kaiser Family Foundation survey showing that 44 percent of Covered California policyholders have difficulty paying health insurance premiums is yet more evidence that California needs health insurance rate regulation. 

In addition to cost hardships for those currently insured, more than 40 percent of uninsured adults said they don’t have insurance because of the high cost of coverage, the report added.

The abysmal patient safety record of California hospitals exposed in a national report card highlights the lack of legal deterrence and safeguards to protect consumers.

The Leapfrog Group, an employer-backed nonprofit group focused on healthcare quality, gave nearly 40 percent of California hospitals a C, D or F grade. These poor grades revealed hospitals that were unable to significantly reduce infections, accidents and errors.

Anthem Blue Cross has, once again, failed to justify a rate increase on consumers, overcharging policyholders $33 million that California’s Insurance Commissioner should have the power to reject.