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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.

GOP Offering Fixes if ACA Subsidies Are Struck Down

Republican lawmakers have floated a number of contingency plans in case the Supreme Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act’s financial subsidies for qualified individuals buying health insurance through the federal exchanges operating in 34 states. The high court is expected to rule later this month in the case of King v. Burwell. While the ...

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California Legislature Passes Budget Plan; Reaction Mixed

State officials and health care groups had mixed reactions to a budget plan (AB 93) passed by the California Legislature on Monday, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News” reports (Orr, “KXJZ News,” Capital Public Radio, 6/15). For more on the Legislature’s budget plan, see today’s “Capitol Desk” post. Background Last month, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) released ...

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Consumers In Grandfathered Plans Can Face Higher Costs for Preventive Benefits

Judy Naillon called her insurer several months ago to find out why she was being charged $35 every month for birth control pills. Her friends said they were getting their pills for free under the federal health law. Why wasn’t she getting the same deal? The insurance rep explained that was because the plan Naillon and her ...

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How King v. Burwell Could Shake Out For Employers

A Supreme Court decision in favor of the petitioner in King v. Burwell could trigger the end of the employer mandate, legal experts say, but it’s far from certain how the court will decide. The highly anticipated case, heard before the Supreme Court on March 4, challenges the legality of subsidies for individuals who bought ...

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Burwell Says It’s Up To States, Congress To Help Consumers If Court Strikes Down Subsidies

It will be up to state officials and Congress to help consumers who can’t afford health insurance if the Supreme Court strikes down health law subsidies for millions of Americans, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell said Wednesday. “The critical decisions will sit with the Congress and states and governors to determine if those ...

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Nevada Considers Transitioning to Healthcare.gov

The clock is ticking for various state legislatures that are pondering a change in the way their residents enroll in public health insurance exchanges ahead of the widely anticipated June ruling in King v. Burwell on whether federal subsidies will be scrapped in 34 states that rely on Healthcare.gov for signups. One such example is a joint ...

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Three Major Systems Join San Diego Health Connect, Giving HIE Big Boost

With the addition of San Diego’s three largest health systems, more than one million patients soon will have the opportunity to participate in the region’s health information exchange, San Diego Health Connect. The community-wide HIE allows patient medical records to be shared among the region’s competing health care providers, large and small. Scripps Health, Sharp ...

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Covered California Website Fail Its Disabled Residents

California businesses have for years complained about lawsuits related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, where plaintiffs visit their stores or restaurants and then demand financial damages after finding oftentimes technical violations of the accessibility rules. At one point last year, 20-some businesses in thedowntown area of one northern California city were hit with such ...

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Patient Finds Shopping for Low-Priced CT Scan Doesn’t Pay Off

Douglas White knew high-deductible insurance is supposed to make patients feel the pain of medical prices and turn them into smart shoppers. So he shopped. He called around for price quotes on the CT scan his doctor ordered. After all, his plan’s $2,000 deductible meant paying the full cost out of pocket. Using information from ...

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California Lawmakers Take Action on Several Health-Related Bills

On Thursday, California lawmakers advanced measures related to childhood vaccine requirements, the state’s prescription drug database and physician-assisted suicide. However, legislators also shelved several health-related measures. The decisions come ahead of a June 5 deadline for bills to be approved by at least one body of the state Legislature. Childhood Vaccine Bill A bill (SB ...

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