Health care costs are out of control. Each year, union members pay more for their health care and get less in return. Since 2000, health care premiums for employment-based coverage have increased 87%. Unless we act now, health care costs will continue to rise and working families will continue to pay the price.
To tackle this problem head on, the Federation is sponsoring legislation to give the state oversight over the cost of health insurance.
Health insurance rate regulation. (AB 1554 – Jones). While the components of health insurance prices are a mystery to most purchasers, one trend is unmistakable- prices are skyrocketing. As costs increase, working families are forced to make more concessions at the bargaining table to keep the coverage they have. Longer waiting periods, increased co-pays, higher deductibles, and less retiree coverage are becoming all too common. This cost shift to workers must stop.
AB 1554 is a work in progress and provides a vehicle to develop a health care rate regulation structure. The time has come for the state to open the black box of health care costs and take a more active role in reviewing the cost of health insurance and guaranteeing that prices are fair and not excessive. This bill would give the state more control to review and regulate the rates that California’s health insurers charge.
Contacts
- Angie Wei, Legislative Director (Workers' Compensation)
- Caitlin Vega, Legislative Advocate (Wage and Hour, Public Employees, Low Wage Worker Issues, Underground Economy, Right to Organize, Immigration)
- Jeremy Smith, Legislative Advocate (Family Leave, Worker Health and Safety, Offshoring, Election Reform, Labor Education, Green Jobs, Toxics in the Workplace)
- Emily Clayton, Policy Coordinator (Healthcare)
- Shawna Manning, Legislative Office Manager