FROM THE FOUNDATION

Redefining the Safety Net

Should California establish a Basic Health Program for certain low-income residents? CHCF's Marian Mulkey captures a recent policy conversation in a Health Affairs blog.

Accountable Care in Action

A new post on the Health Affairs blog details how CalPERS kept costs down in Sacramento through a "virtual" ACO with insurers and providers.

Career Opportunity: Senior Program Officer

This position will play a major role in furthering the goals and objectives of the foundation's Better Chronic Disease Care program.

Special Reports

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Newly Enacted State Legislation Looks Toward Implementation of Federal Health Reform Law

Last year, California legislators passed several new laws aimed at laying the groundwork for forthcoming changes under the federal health reform law.

For example, one new law requires California's individual and small group health insurance policies to offer maternity coverage. The federal reform law will require such coverage nationwide in 2014.

Another new law aligns California's regulations with the federal reform law's medical-loss ratio rule, which requires individual and small group plans to spend at least 80% of their premium revenue on medical care.

In a California Healthline Special Report by Kelly Wilkinson, experts discussed how the state is adapting to new requirements under the federal overhaul.

The Special Report includes comments from:

  • John Arensmeyer, founder and CEO of Small Business Majority;
  • Diana Dooley, secretary of California's Health and Human Services Agency; and
  • Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access (Wilkinson, California Healthline, 1/18).

The complete transcript of this Special Report is available as a PDF.

Running Time: 5:04



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