Big Legislative Wins on Healthcare

California this week took a big leap forward in advancing healthcare reform and creating a high-value health system, among the Bay Area Council’s lead priorities. Covered California announced the health care plans that will be participating in the state’s new insurance exchange. Bay Area Council Senior Policy Advisor Micah Weinberg was busy throughout the day, testifying before various committees and meeting with individual lawmakers. The news was generally very good, with premium rates for Californians across the state coming in lower than predicted. Weinberg noted in a Wall Street Journal article that a very small number of consumers will see substantial increases.

Three bills the Bay Area Council supports that will allow healthcare professionals such as optometrists and pharmacists to provide some primary care services for patients were advanced unanimously to the Senate Floor. A coalition led by the Bay Area Council and member company Safeway also garnered a big win for the business community as we successfully defeated a bill that would have banned the use by employers of wellness incentive programs. Though we are headed in a positive direction, there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done. To engage in our healthcare policy work or to attend an upcoming information session on post-ACA insurance options for employers, contact Senior Policy Advisor Micah Weinberg