State Issues Updates

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Tribal Provisions Impacting the California Health Benefit Exchange

The California legislative session concludes at the end of August. In preparation, Governor Brown has called for a special legislative session in December to implement additional Affordable Care Act provisions. Many pending State bills related to the ACA are below. CRIHB will continue to track these bills through the legislative process.

AB 1453 and SB 951: Requires that health plans and health insurers cover a set of minimum essential health benefits equivalent to the Kaiser small group HMO.

AB 1461 and SB 961: Prevents insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions and authorizes new insurance market rules for individuals who purchase insurance on their own.

AB 1083: Authorizes new insurance market rules for small businesses, including a provision that protects them from premium increases based on the health of their workers.

SB 1431: Ensures consumer protections for workers and an affordable small group market for small businesses by limiting a loophole for these employers to "self-insure" in order to elude small group market requirements.

AB 43 and SB 677: Changes Medi-Cal rules to reflect Affordable Care Act eligibility provisions, including reducing barriers to enrollment.

AB 1580: Further streamlines eligibility and enrollment processes.

AB 792: Requires Californians receive information about their coverage options under the Exchange upon filing for employment or other life changes.

SB 970: Assist individuals to apply for health and other public programs through an integrated no wrong door approach.

AB 1869: Requires the Office of the Patient Advocate to coordinate with Medicare, Medi-Cal and Veterans programs.

AB 441: Requires that transportation planning include health criteria in order to foster healthier communities.

Thanks

Mark LeBeau, MS, PhD, Health Policy Analyst

California Rural Indian Health Board, Inc.
4400 Auburn Blvd., 2nd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95841
(916) 929-9761 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it