Industry

Shrinking Political World of UHW President Dave Regan

We've been chronicling the ever-shrinking political world of union President Dave Regan, see here, here and here, for a while now, and recent news highlights his dwindling power.
 

State Agency Deal Shortchanges Blue Shield Customers

If a health insurer misrepresents a policy's network of providers and hospitals, shouldn't consumers be protected by state regulators overseeing the insurance company? 
 

To Sway Lawmakers, California Lobbying Spending Continues to Increase

Another quarter, another tens of millions of dollars spent on lobbying lawmakers. In 2015, $236 million has been spent on lobbying, with $86 million in this quarter alone, according to the Secretary of State. Last year, at the same time, $224 million was spent in the first three quarters of the year, with $79 million in the third quarter. 

Big Oil Spends Millions to Protect Billions

For the oil industry, this year’s legislative session was full of doomsday legislation – bills targeting petroleum use, emissions, environmental protection, and profits. For the rest of us, it was the opposite – a bright spot in the battle over climate change. It’s no surprise then that the oil industry spent $11 million on lobbying in the third quarter alone. But that’s a pittance compared to the billions of dollars in profit it was protecting. 

Big Oil Spent Millions on Lobbying to Kill Climate Change, Fracking Bills at Legislative End

Big oil spent nearly $11 million in the third quarter on lobbying to kill bills that included targeting climate change and air and water protections. Monday was the last day that employers could file lobbying numbers. 

Capitol Watchdog: Upcoming Meetings to Watch

Inadequate physician networks and out-of-network billing have cast an ugly shadow over the expanding healthcare market as more people have access to healthcare. Next Monday, the Department of Insurance will hold a hearing on new proposed regulations covering network adequacy and out-of-network billing in emergency services. 

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