LA Times: California Should Have Power to Modify, Reject Insurance Premium Increases

California should be able to regulate health insurance premiums by giving the Department of Insurance the authority to modify or reject proposed increases, according to an L.A. Times editorial report.

According to the report, the bill that would let the state block excessive health insurance premium increases is facing opposition in the Senate. Critics say the cost of the bill is too high and that it will negatively affect large groups. The report asks lawmakers not lose sight of the bill's intent: to allow regulators to do more than complain about unreasonable premium increases.

The measure, AB 52 by Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles), would allow the Department of Insurance to adjust health insurance premium increases as it does with automobile and homeowner's insurance increases.

Regulators currently review increases for individuals and small-group health coverage before they take effect, but the review will be relatively useless for consumers who must attain coverage starting in 2014 regardless of price.

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