For the third time since 2013, California's managed-care regulator has criticized health insurance giant Aetna Inc. for imposing an excessive rate hike on small employers.

Two coalitions of health care providers, advocates and medical groups announced their formation in the past week and said they would try to ramp up pressure for a couple of key budget issues as the state budget talks intensify.

The Obama administration Monday closed a series of insurance loopholes on coverage of preventive care.

Bowing to demands from consumer advocates, state regulators will hold a hearing next month on Blue Shield of California's proposed acquisition of Medicaid insurer Care1st for $1.25 billion.

State Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones (D) has adopted a workers' compensation pure premium rate that is more than 10% lower than the current rate, the Insurance Journal reports.

Kelly Fristoe operates his financial planning company in Wichita Falls, Texas, an oil-producing town about 140 miles northwest of Dallas, near the Oklahoma border.