The Latin Voice of California’s Central Valley

Populations most in need of health insurance — and critical to successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act — could be left out unless California’s Health Benefit exchange board moves aggressively to reach them, according to a report released by The Greenlining Institute.

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Contact: Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 510-926-4022; 415-846-7758 (cell)

Health Benefit Exchange Board Must Aggressively Target Underserved Communities

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – Populations most in need of health insurance and critical to successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act could be left behind unless California’s Health Benefit Exchange board moves aggressively to reach them, The Greenlining Institute argues in a report to be released this Thursday and presented at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ fall meeting on Friday.

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Precinct Reporter Group
By Alexis Dennis and Carla Saporta

The implementation of federal health care reform – officially known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or ACA for short – is underway. This represents a huge opportunity for communities of color, who are disproportionately uninsured – but only if we get it right.

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Fox Business
By Susan Ladika

Imagine walking into your corner drugstore to pick up aspirin, toothpaste and individual health insurance.

That day might not be so far away. Walgreens reportedly may enter the health insurance marketplace this fall, selling a variety of health plans at a variety of price points, although the company has not confirmed such reports.

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Contact: Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 510-926-4022; 415-846-7758 (cell)

Consumer Advocates Applaud Critical Protection for Small Businesses, Individuals

AB 52, which would allow state regulators to reject excessive health insurance rate increases, passed the Senate Health Committee today by a vote of 5 to 3.
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La Prensa San Diego
Por Jorge Corralejo, Zara Marselian y Rosa María Martínez

Un nuevo proyecto de ley muy importante dirigido a proteger a nuestras familias y pequeños negocios de drásticos incrementos al costo de cobertura médica está moviéndose en la legislatura estatal. Todos necesitamos decirles a nuestros representantes que aprueben esta ley de inmediato.

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Contact: Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 510-926-4022; 415-846-7758 (cell)

AB 52 Seen as Critical Protection for Small Businesses, Individuals

AB 52, which would allow state regulators to reject excessive health insurance rate increases, passed the California Assembly  today by a vote of 43 to 1 (with Assembly Republicans not voting due to a procedural dispute).

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Capitol Weekly
By Carla Saporta, Rosa Martinez

How much does a year of life cost? About $12,500 if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area. The figure may be a bit more or less in other parts of the state, but the same pattern holds. That pattern has much to tell us about the state of health care in California, and what must be done to fix it?

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Warren’s Washington Internet Daily

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — A study due out in a few months may move the needle in the debate over health effects of the smart grid, said an executive of a nonprofit participant. The report, due out in the late summer or early fall, will go beyond dealing with concerns about radio frequency radiation from smart meters, said Chris Thomas, policy director of the Illinois Citizens Utility Board. He said it will take into account risks of exposure, particularly among low-income residents, to extreme weather from automated cutoffs enabled by the smart grid.
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Our Weekly
By Earl “Skip” Cooper

An important piece of legislation aimed at protecting our families and small businesses from astounding increases in health insurance costs is moving ahead in the state legislature.

All of us need to tell our representatives to pass this important bill right away.

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