MAY 8-10, 2023
CAHIP Capitol Summit
Sacramento
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Click the image below to view the full agenda! |
For a list of upcoming chapter events, visit our events page HERE.
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Welcome to CAHIP Connection! Here’s a monthly update from CAHIP President Sue Wakamoto-Lee. |
Capitol Summit 2023 is Coming Soon! |
CAHIP’s biggest event of the year is happening May 8-10 in Sacramento at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel!
Our Capitol Summit is one of the best opportunities for agents across California to connect with legislators and invest in their professional education. This year’s event has exciting key speakers and the opportunity to talk with 31 new California legislators. Plus, there are opportunities to network with colleagues.
We’ll see you there!
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More Rain…and Bills Than Usual
By CAHIP VP of Legislation, Dawn McFarland and Legislative Advocate, Faith Borges
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This year’s bill introduction deadline was Friday, February 17, 2023. Over the two-year legislative session, the California State Senate allows each Senator to introduce up to 40 bills. In contrast, the California State Assembly allows each Assemblymember to introduce up to 50 bills. There are 120 legislators in California and between the two houses, they collectively introduced over 2,600 bills. This is the highest amount of bills introduced in more than a decade, with 881 Senate Bills and 1,751 Assembly Bills. Including special session measures (to address gas affordability), resolutions, and constitutional amendments, there have been 2,741 measures introduced so far – noting bills authored by committees, resolutions and constitutional amendments are not subject to the February 17th deadline and continue to flow in.
We have identified a “first cut” bill list with 150 bills of potential interest to CAHIP. Potential is emphasized since 1,046 (40%) of the bills introduced were nearly blank and are commonly referred to as spot bills or intent bills. This figure is higher than the average of 1/3 most years. As spot bills are amended, we will continue to flag key bills of interest. Of the 150 bills that we reviewed; we continue to actively monitor 137. Of those bills, the full Legislative Committee reviewed and discussed 50 bills at our annual bill review meeting at the Railroad Museum in Old Town Sacramento. While it is always fun to gather together, the conversations are intensely focused on CAHIP guidelines and having a voice for our members and their clients. The Legislative Committee submitted recommended positions on 33 bills to CAHIP Board- all of which were adopted, the rest remain at a watch to inform our members of changes that may assist in conversations with clients.
So far, there have been a few priorities to be aware of heading into the next few weeks of policy committee hearings. CAHIP has provided standalone communications on the two single payer bills that are currently in print for the legislature to consider this year. Click here to see those statements. While the single payer fight is not new to us, it does make a difference that we continue to educate our legislators with our experience helping their constituents. This year is particularly important because we have 31 new legislators that have not heard our voice over the past ten years. Please be sure you plan to join us in Sacramento for Capitol Summit May 8-10 (Register here).
In addition to the single payer legislation, there are numerous proposed benefit expansions- many of which are currently being reviewed by the California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP). The California Legislature only assesses the fiscal impact to the state when examining the cost of legislation. So CHBRP’s analysis of cost to all payers, including insurers, and the projected impact on medical effectiveness is valuable information that our committee uses to inform positions on legislation to expand benefits.
This year benefit expansions include social determinants of health screenings via AB 85 which aligns with the Healthy CA For All Commission’s recommendations address whole person care. Another CHBRP analysis that is of interest on CAHIP priority legislation pertains to mandated limits on cost sharing for insulin in SB 90. This has been a priority of Governor Newsom’s administration and aligns with his recent declaration that California is on its way to producing state-branded insulin. We are also paying close attention to AB 4, which would expand access to Covered CA to undocumented Californians. For information on these bills and other priority legislation that CAHIP is tracking and/or positioned on, please visit our members only section of the CAHIP website, which will have a posted Priority Bill List available this week.
CAHIP Legislative team is also paying close attention to the newly developed Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) whose Board met for the first time on March 21, 2023. According to the HCAI website, this office has (3) has three primary responsibilities: “managing spending targets, monitoring system performance, and assessing market consolidation. OHCA will collect, analyze, and publicly report data on total health care expenditures, and enforce spending targets set by a new Health Care Affordability Board. To ensure a balanced approach to slow spending growth, OHCA will monitor system performance by measuring quality, equity, adoption of alternative payment models, investment in primary care and behavioral health, and workforce stability. Through cost and market impact reviews, OHCA will analyze transactions that are likely to significantly impact on market competition, the state’s ability to meet targets, or affordability for consumers and purchasers. Based on results of the review, OHCA will then coordinate with other state agencies to address consolidation as appropriate.”
Along the lines of affordability, as the state is projected to face a large deficit this year, we are closely monitoring legislation to require benefit expansions though we expect many of these bills to be held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee due to constrained state resources. We will provide an update on healthcare related legislation that is likely to be funded through the budget process as we approach budget season later this spring. Information about these bills and others will be on the CAHIP website soon. Should you have any questions about pending legislation or regulations, please do not hesitate to reach out to us or your local Legislative Chair.
Rain or shine, thank you for your membership. See you in Sacramento!
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Another Single Payer Bill – Oppose SB 770
We recently informed members of a single sentence "spot bill," AB 1690 introduced with INTENT language to advance Single Payer later this legislative session. The bill reads in total: "This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to guarantee accessible, affordable, equitable, and high-quality health care for all Californians through a comprehensive universal single-payer health care program that benefits every resident of the state."
This week another spot bill, SB 770, was gutted and amended with language that directs, "the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency to pursue waiver discussions with the federal government with the objective of funding a unified health care financing system in California."
The waivers would redirect all current Federal Government funding for Medi-Cal and Medicare to finance Single Payer instead. This creates a government monopoly of medical, behavioral health, pharmaceutical, dental, vision and long-term care benefits.
So what can you do?
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As CAHIP prepares for our 2023 Capitol Summit, we ask that you make room on your calendar to attend. Invite a colleague to join you and share with legislators our concerns about single payer decreasing access, quality, and affordability of healthcare for the majority of Californians. Register today.
- Read our emails to stay up-to-date. Take action when you receive Operation Shouts and communicate with your legislators before key votes!
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There are thousands of health insurance agents in California, and we need everyone to stand together on behalf of consumers. We need your help to inform agents about membership. Hey large agencies, we are looking at you! If you need someone to help you, reach out to any CAHIP board member! Click here to join now:
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Background Change Disclosures Notice Reminder
The California Department of Insurance (CDI) recently sent out their annual reminder containing important information regarding the timely reporting of Background Change Disclosures. Make sure to double check that your background changes comply with the CDI.
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MORE INDUSTRY NEWS
Employee Navigator Announces Acquisition of Ease
Employee Navigator has acquired Ease, a leading broker centric HR small business solution. Ease claims this acquisition will “accelerate the modernization of benefits administration for brokers, employers, and the broader insurance ecosystem."
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Federal Agency Document Roundup is Underway
A U.S. House of Representatives committee hopes to round up federal records relating to pricing practices of pharmacy benefit managers, reports Medical Economics. The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, led by Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., has asked federal agencies that deal with health care to turn over documents and communications about PBMs’ effects on their respective programs.
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Health Startup Plans Face Major Net Losses in 2022
The three biggest startup health plans posted more than $2 billion in losses last year, reports Becker’s Payer Issues. Bright Health Group Inc. reported a net loss of $1.4 billion in 2022, compared to a $1.2 billion loss a year prior. Oscar Health Inc. recorded a net loss of $606 million in 2022, compared to a net loss of $572 million in 2021. And startup insurer Clover Health posted a $339 million net loss in 2022, compared to a $588 million loss in 2021.
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Insurance, and assurance: How Paytient is Helping Employees Pay for Healthcare Without Breaking the Bank
Health insurance is a nationwide necessity in today’s society. While there is much work being done to ensure access, many consumers struggle to afford coverage when they need it most. Paytient is an up-and-coming fintech company looking to solve this problem by giving consumers new, efficient ways to make payments.
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Important Licensing CE Change for California Agents: Fraud Prevention ethics training is now required as for March 2023
The California Department of Insurance recently added a requirement for Fraud Prevention training. It’s part of an effort to better educate professionals about the dangers of fraud and provide tips to best protect clients.
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Welcome New Members – April 2023
Thank you for joining our Association! Check out CAHIP website for local chapter events.
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Michael Iniguez
Tamare Fleury
Lara Goulson
Leora Johnson
Sabrina Levine
Luis Avalos
Ivon Moncada
Jerry Weaver
Rashea Gaines
Hector Lazaro
Janine Oswalt
Roseanna Rios
Luke Czaja
Susan Schneider
Dalia Sutton
Ryan Clear
Matthew Waggoner
David Hunter
Maricela Ocon
Yvonne Bracamont
James Braum
Michael Wolin
Eric Hatfield
Malcolm Cutler
George Beach
Paul Pascual
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Kaiser Permanente
Bankers Life
Simpler Horizons
Simpler Horizons
Simpler Horizons
Get Benefits Insurance Services, Inc.
Get Benefits Insurance Services, Inc.
Get Benefits Insurance Services, Inc.
Cypress Dental
AltaMed
Sackett & Associates Insurance Services
Allstate Benefits
Mutual of Omaha
Schneider Agency
Anthem Blue Cross
G&A Partners
G&A Partners
Health1 Insurance Agency
Financial Independence Co. Insurance Services
Aetna
BBSI
AGA
Hatfield Insurance & Financial Services, Inc.
Cutler Insurance Services
George Beach Insurance Services LLC
Pascual Insurance Services
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