Politics
Who wants to be California’s insurance commissioner? Your guide to the candidates
CalMatters interviewed five leading candidates who want to regulate one of the world’s biggest insurance markets. Here’s what they said.
Insurance
Health
Court strikes down California law targeting dialysis industry profits
The 9th Circuit found California didn't narrowly enough tailor its law to address concerns about high dialysis costs in the private insurance market.
Commentary
Bitter medicine: How California’s hospital bills end up depressing your take-home pay
Hospitals are suing a state agency that limits their cost increases. Their bills inflate health insurance premiums, leaving employers with less money for wages.
Commentary
Candidate comment: He lost his home in the Palisades fire. Now he’s running to ‘fix the broken system’
After the fires, homeowners were traumatized by insurers. Farren's philosophy: “The best response to hardship is to create change that protects others.”
Commentary
Patients are often left ‘out of network’ as hospitals, insurers clash over cost
Guest Commentary written by Craig Wagoner Craig Wagoner is president and CEO of Community Health System No one wants to see health insurance premiums rise. Individuals, small businesses and large employers are already under inflationary pressures. But it will be far worse if health insurance companies fail to help address rising costs facing healthcare providers. […]
Commentary
When home insurance fails, California’s families and communities feel the fallout
Homes that lose coverage can become un-mortgageable. Property values decline. Communities that stood for decades begin to be hollowed out.
Economy
Some State Farm customers could see refunds while homeowner rate hikes stay put
State Farm reaches settlement over emergency insurance rate hikes after last year’s Los Angeles County fires.
Health
Californians are staying insured — but settling for health coverage they may not use
Covered California enrollment fell 2.7% following the end of enhanced federal premium assistance. That’s better than expected, but many people are making concessions to afford staying insured.
Commentary
She spent six of her last years in arbitration with her HMO. Her husband’s still fighting the system
Arbitrators in medical disputes are supposed to be unbiased, but this couple suspected there is an incentive to favor HMO’s in arbitration.
Commentary
Who’s running for California Insurance Commissioner? Here’s a look at the field of candidates
There are 15 candidates vying to be the state's top insurance regulator, a hot seat as thousands of LA residents try tapping insurance to help them recover from wildfires.