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Industry Updates

This broad category includes articles concerning health insurance costs, carrier and health plan news, changing benefits technology, and surveys by the Kaiser Family Foundation and others on employee benefits.

California Halting New Unemployment Claims For Two Weeks To Catch Up On Backlog

State Employment Development Department has faced sharp criticism for delays; 1.6 million jobless not properly paid benefits

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Dense Smoke Smothers Pacific Northwest, Shutting Residents Indoors And Complicating Fire Response

Massive clouds of smoke from the Pacific Northwest wildfires lingered over the region Sunday, posing serious health risks for millions of people and complicating firefighting efforts even as crews reported progress in slowing some of the blazes.

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In Legislative Shuffle, California Prioritizes Safety Gear and Sick Leave During Crisis

California lawmakers convened this year with big plans to tackle soaring health care costs, expand health insurance coverage and improve treatment for mental health and addiction.

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Fate of Independent Trucking Contractors in California Has Another Day in Court

Oral arguments this week in front of an appeals court raise concerns that trucking’s challenge to California’s controversial AB5 independent contractor legislation could face an uphill battle.

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Nevada Health Link Offering Coverage For Those Who Are Jobless Or Lost Insurance

The Silver State Health Insurance Exchange, Nevada’s state agency that helps individuals secure affordable health coverage through the online State Based Exchange (SBE) platform, Nevada Health Link, is reminding uninsured Nevadans they may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if they have a qualifying life event.

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California Launches Plan To Reopen In Slower Phases After Surge In Coronavirus Cases

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) launched a new plan to more slowly reopen his state’s economy after an alarming spike in coronavirus cases across the Golden State over the summer.

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California Legislators Cap Off Session With Several COVID-19 Protection Bills

California lawmakers on Monday wrapped up a legislative session largely defined by the pandemic as they approved new COVID-19 sick leave for food workers, added sweeping labor protections for laid-off hotel staff and made it easier for essential employees to file for workers’ compensation.

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California Rx: State May Dive Into Generic Drug Market

California is poised to become the first state to develop its own line of generic drugs, targeting soaring drug prices and stepping into a fiercely competitive drug market dominated by deep-pocketed pharmaceutical companies.

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Long-Fought Nurse Practitioner Independence Bill Heads to Newsom

After years of failed attempts and vociferous opposition, California lawmakers on Monday adopted a measure to grant nurse practitioners the ability to practice without doctor supervision — but only after making big concessions to the powerful doctors’ lobby, which nonetheless remains opposed.

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Aetna Fined After Denying 93% Of ER Claims In California

Insurers have come under scrutiny in the past for policies rejecting claims for visits to the emergency room that they deem unnecessary. The latest to find itself in hot water? Aetna, which has been fined $500,000

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