Health Care Talk (HCTalk.com)

[Denver Dave]

California Legislature Moves on Health Insurance Exchange
http://www.baycitizen.org/health/story/ca-legislature-road-implementing/

California’s Legislature is moving closer to implementing a major piece of the federal health reform, the creation of an insurance exchange that would allow individuals and small businesses to join a giant pool that would give them market power in bargaining for a better deal with insurance companies.

The Senate on Tuesday passed two bills that would create the exchange and establish its governance. It would open for business in 2014.

The exchange would run largely on the Internet, governed by a state-appointed board that would screen the insurance companies that participate, establish benefit levels, premiums and co-pays, and provide consumers with an easy-to-use matrix comparing costs and benefits.