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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.

COVID-19 Infections On The Rise In The Bay Area, Following National Trend

Coronavirus infections trended up in the Bay Area for the week ending Friday, with the average number of daily new cases at 475, up 8.7% from the prior week ending March 26. The data could be an indicator that California is beginning to fall in line with the rest of the United States, where coronavirus ...

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California Enacts (Retroactive) 2021 Emergency Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Law

On March 19, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 95, which creates new Labor Code section 248.2 and mandates that employers provide employees with supplemental paid sick leave (SPSL) for various COVID-related absences in addition to paid time off benefits employees receive by law or policy, e.g., non-COVID statutory paid sick leave or vacation.

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California Should Wake Up From Its Single-Payer Dreams

Single-payer health care has new life in California. State lawmakers just introduced AB1400, legislation that would launch a government takeover of the state’s health insurance system, effectively banning private coverage and enrolling every Californian in the same plan.

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All CA Adults Could Be Eligible For Vaccine In May, Newsom Says

A scarcity of coronavirus vaccine doses continues to plague the Golden State's efforts to battle the pandemic. But the state may be able to offer shots to all Californians by early May, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday.

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California Rx Card Delivers $697 Million in Savings to Cardholders in 13 Years

Since its launch in 2007, the California Rx Card prescription drug discount program has saved Californians $697 million on prescription medications through December 31, 2020. The card offers savings of up to 80 percent on both brand name and generic medications at more than 68,000 pharmacies nationwide. “The California Rx Card is free to all residents of ...

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California’s Huge COVID-19 Vaccine Expansion Relies On Trust. Will Cheaters Stay Away?

California on Monday began a new phase of its COVID-19 vaccine rollout, making nearly half of all residents eligible for a shot — and relying more than ever on public trust and honesty to make sure the doses get to those who need them most. The changes add to the eligibility list more than 4 ...

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California Sues Nursing Home Chain Over Alleged Medicare ‘Manipulation’

California prosecutors on Monday filed a lawsuit against Brookdale Senior Living, the state’s largest nursing home chain, accusing it of manipulating ratings on the federal government’s rating system, as well as illegally discharging patients. The New York Times reports that California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, President Biden‘s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, filed the ...

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California Counties Don’t Want Centralized Vaccine Program Run by Blue Shield

Counties across California are increasingly asking to opt out of the state's centralized vaccination program run by Blue Shield, further complicating Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to smooth out what has been a confusing and disjointed rollout of coronavirus vaccines.

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California OKs Reopening of Ball Parks, Disneyland

California has cleared a path for fans to hit the stands at opening-day baseball games and return to Disneyland nearly a year after coronavirus restrictions shuttered major entertainment spots.

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Many Californians Have Just Three Days Of Paid Leave. What If They Get COVID-19?

Millions of California workers are staring down the pandemic with no clear access to an economic safety net if they take time off, a situation that is deepening the state’s COVID-19 crisis and galvanizing policymakers to extend sick-leave mandates.

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