Seeking health insurance? State is taking names
The state of California is starting to take names of people interested in new health insurance for those with pre-existing medical problems.
The insurance is being subsidized by the federal government, as part of the health care overhaul, but it will be administered by the state. Coverage will be available only to people who have had no other medical insurance for six months or more.
So far, the state Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board hasn’t designed the insurance policies or even an application form. But with the governor poised to sign bills formally authorizing the new “high risk” insurance pool, the board will begin keeping a list of people who want to be notified when an application form is available.
Beginning Tuesday, those people can e-mail the board at FHRP@mrmib.ca.gov, spokeswoman Jeanie Esajian said. They should include their name, address, phone number and e-mail address, she said.
Overhaul of California health-worker discipline dies in committee
A proposed overhaul to tighten California’s disciplinary system for health workers died Thursday in a Senate committee under opposition from labor unions.
The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee rejected Senate Bill 1111, aimed at identifying and disciplining health professionals who commit serious violations. The bill, which needed five votes to pass, failed on a 1-1 tally.
A 2009 report by ProPublica and the Los Angeles Times found that some nurses were able to practice in California long after facing accusations of abuse or misconduct.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger subsequently overhauled the Board of Registered Nursing and supported SB 1111 by Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod, D-Chino.
The bill would have affected 1 million health workers. McLeod was especially interested in requirements that employers notify the state when they fire health workers for dangerous misconduct.
Labor unions said they supported parts of the bill, such as a quicker resolution to disciplinary complaints, but objected to other provisions that they said would undermine workers’ due-process rights.
Schwarzenegger rebuked committee members in a statement: “By not voting for this bill today, these members are saying they side with protecting incompetent providers.”
McLeod does not plan to take up the bill again this year but vowed to seek a similar proposal in the future.
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