2006 Legislation
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Advocating for Consumers in Sacramento Legislative Information 2006 Legislation
This page was updated on 11/30/06
For the most up-to-date information on any bill, go to www.leginfo.ca.gov
Governor's Decisions on 2005 Health Care Legislation
2006 Bills of Interest to California Health Advocates
- printable version - October 1 , 2006
Health advocates are actively working on the following bills, which includes efforts to expand health care coverage and provide consumer protections for patients. Also listed is the position of Health Access California, the statewide health consumer advocacy coalition working for the goal of quality, affordable health care for all.
Health Care Coverage
Major Coverage Expansions
SB840 |
Kuehl |
As the California Health Insurance Reliability Act, creates a universal, publicly-financed (single-payer) health care system, similar to Medicare |
Vetoed |
Strong Support |
Streamlining Children's Coverage in Public Programs
SB437 |
Escutia |
Streamlines and simplifies enrollment of children to Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. |
Signed |
Strong Support |
AB1948 |
Montanez |
Creates a feasibility study on simplifying application for Medi-Cal and Healthy Families using CHDP Gateway and electronic application |
Signed |
Support |
Related Legislation on Access and Coverage
| AB1840 |
Horton |
Requires the state to disclose names of employers who, rather than providing health coverage, have their workers and their families on Medi-Cal and Healthy Families |
Vetoed |
Support |
AB2889 |
Frommer |
Prohibits health plans from discriminating against people who have been insured, but who have chronic or serious illnesses in certain instances. |
Signed |
Support |
| SB1448 |
Kuehl |
Expands coverage using money from the state's federal hospital waiver |
Signed |
Support |
SB1702 |
Speier |
Extends the sunset for Managed Risk Medical Insurance Program |
Signed |
Support |
SB1704 |
Kuehl |
Extends California Health Benefits Review Board to 2011 |
Signed |
Support |
Consumer and Patient Protections
Hospital Overcharging of Uninsured Patients
| AB774 |
Chan |
Provides consumer protections against abusive hospital billing and collections practices, including those that charge uninsured patients multiple times what insurers pay for the same service. |
Signed |
Support/
Sponsor
|
Affordable Prescription Drugs
| AB2911 |
Nunez/
Perata |
Allows state to negotiate drug discounts for nearly 6 million Californians. AFter three years, state can use Medi-Cal purchasing power to encourage deeper discounts |
Signed |
Support |
AB2877 |
Frommer |
Establishes a website listing sources that are safe for purchasing more affordable drugs . |
Signed |
Support |
Medicare Part D Consumer Protections
| AB2170 |
Chan |
Creates a consumer report card on Medicare Part D prescription drug plans |
Vetoed |
Support/
Sponsor |
AB2667 |
Baca |
Allows the state to monitor Part D prescription drug plans in the same way it monitors health plans |
Signed |
Support/
Sponsor |
For questions or an updated list, contact our policy coordinator in Sacramento, Hanh Kim Quach, at 916-497-0923, hquach@health-access.org.
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