Texas Lawmakers Pass Bill Requiring Special Stickers On Marketplace Insurance Cards
Advocates say the marking will help remind customers to pay their monthly premiums, but critics wonder why such a designation is needed. In other news from state legislatures, efforts have stalled in California on Gov. Jerry Brown's plan to expand a tax to more managed care plans and in Oregon on a bill to institute a state-wide sick leave policy.
The Texas Tribune:
Health Insurance Card Bill Clears Senate
House Bill 1514, which would add a special label to the health insurance cards of people purchasing health plans on the exchange created by the Affordable Care Act, passed the Texas Senate late Tuesday evening. The bill ... would apply to more than a million Texans with “qualified health plans” purchased on Healthcare.gov by adding a new label — “QHP” — to their insurance cards. It passed 20-11 and now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott for approval. Doctors’ groups say the bill would help physicians remind their patients to continue making monthly payments toward their health insurance premiums .... But critics wondered why the special designation was needed. (Walters, 5/26)
The Sacramento Bee:
Jerry Brown’s Proposal To Expand Health Plan Tax Sputtering
Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to make more managed care organizations pay a state tax – one likely to be passed on to consumers – is meeting resistance at the Capitol. A major part of Brown’s proposed health care budget, the expanded tax on managed-care organizations would raise an estimated $1.7 billion to help pay for health care for the poor and pay for a court settlement ending a years-long legal fight over reduced hours for home-care workers. (Miller, 5/26)
The Oregonian:
Democratic Lawmakers Frustrated By Oregon Legislature's Failure To Pass Paid Sick Days Bill
Ten Democratic lawmakers and their allies expressed frustration Tuesday at the Legislature's failure to pass a statewide paid sick-leave bill. When the session began in February with large Democratic majorities in both the Senate and House, advocates expected Oregon to quickly become the fourth state with a law mandating paid leave for workers. But with Memorial Day signaling the final weeks of the session, two paid sick-leave bills continue to languish in committee despite months of pre-session work to craft a law acceptable to business, labor and members of both political parties. (Rede, 5/26)
