California Watch Category Banner

California Watch

News stories in this section spotlight activities in California, including actions by the state Assembly and state Senate; proposed legislation; regulators like the Department of Managed Health Care and Department of Insurance; and the state ACA exchange, Covered California.

Molina Scores Huge Win with State Medi-Cal Contracts

Last month, a strategic decision paid off in spades. Molina Healthcare scored its largest Medicaid win ever as the California Department of Health Care Services on August 25 announced it intends to award the company new or additional contracts in Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Diego counties.

Read More

Aetna To Enter ACA Exchanges In 4 More States; California

Aetna will enter the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) exchanges in four more states, bringing its total footprint to 12 states, the insurer announced late last week. The CVS Health subsidiary will begin offering plans in California, Delaware, Illinois and New Jersey for the 2023 plan year. Aetna already offered plans in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, ...

Read More

CA Legislature Expands Pay Transparency and Data Reporting Requirements; Extends COVID Supplemental Paid Sick Leave

California employers should take note of two significant bills recently passed by the state Legislature that are now awaiting likely approval by Governor Newsom. The first, Senate Bill 1162 (SB 1162), would further expand California’s already progressive requirements for employers regarding pay transparency and data reporting. The second, Assembly Bill 152 (AB 152), is expected ...

Read More

Opposition in Final Days of Legislative Session Stops Onerous Requirements for Businesses

In the closing days of the legislative session, strong opposition from the California Chamber of Commerce and allied groups, including many local chambers of commerce, prevented the passage of a number of harmful proposals. The CalChamber-opposed bills stopped include the following: • SB 260 (Wiener; D-San Francisco) Increased Regulatory Burden. Imposes a mandatory climate tracking, auditing, and cap on climate ...

Read More

California Governor Signs Landmark Law For Fast Food Workers

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday signed a nation-leading measure giving more than a half-million fast food workers more power and protections, despite the objections of restaurant owners who warned it would drive up consumers’ costs.

Read More

Sweltering California Could Become The First State To Rank Heat Waves

When natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires or tornadoes strike in the United States, the calamities are given rankings and names to emphasize the havoc they wreak.

Read More

The Word & Brown Companies Named in Business Insurance’s Annual Best Places to Work

The Word & Brown Companies has been named in the annual “Best Places to Work in Insurance” program, which recognizes employers for their outstanding performance in establishing workplaces where employees can thrive, enjoy their work, and help the companies grow.

Read More

California Passes Legislation to Expand Mandated Retirement Plans

In 2016 California passed legislation that employers who do not sponsor an employee-retirement plan must participate in a state-run retirement program. This program became known as CalSavers.

Read More

Why San Francisco Is ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ The Monkeypox Outbreak Is Slowing

After about two months of rapid spread, San Francisco appears to be turning a corner on monkeypox, with early data showing the local epidemic may be slowing down. The number of new cases reported each week hit a high of 143 the week of July 24 and has tapered each week since, first to 87 ...

Read More

Gavin Newsom Announces $4.7 Billion Overhaul Of California’s Mental Health System

Gov. Gavin Newsom visited Fresno’s McLane High School on Wednesday morning to announce a $4.7 billion investment in mental health and substance abuse supports for young Californians ages 0 to 25.

Read More
arrowcaret-downclosefacebook-squarehamburgerinstagram-squarelinkedin-squarepauseplaytwitter-squareyoutube-square