California Insurers and Business Groups Push Affordability Campaign

September 9, 2025

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The California Association of Health Plans (CAHP) is leading an effort to raise awareness of the potential negative impacts of policy proposals under consideration by the state legislature with op-eds published in various newspapers in the state.

The California Businesses for Affordable Health Care (CABAH), a CAHP funded organization, recently highlighted an op-ed in Capitol Weekly by Michael Hedges, President of the California Small Business Association and founder of Pacific Trux. The op-ed sounded the alarm on how proposed health care mandates and state policy changes are threatening the affordability of employer-sponsored health insurance for small and mid-sized businesses.

CABAH also secured publication of a second op-ed authored by small business owner Lorraine Salazar this week in the Fresno Bee, Modesto Bee, Sacramento Bee, Merced Sun-Star, and SLO Tribune. Salazar’s op-ed discusses how state lawmakers are burdening small businesses with costly health care mandates.

legislation

Bicameral Patients before Monopolies Act reintroduced

On May 13, bipartisan lawmakers in the House and Senate reintroduced the Patients Before Monopolies (PBM) Act (S.4509/H.R.8779), legislation that would prohibit common ownership of PBMs, insurers, and pharmacies. Sponsored by Sens. Warren (D-MA) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) alongside Reps. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), the bill would require impacted organizations to divest […]
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June 10, 2026

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legislation

CMS announces ePA acceleration initiative, democrats seek to repeal WISeR Model

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is advancing its electronic prior authorization (ePA) efforts through a newly established Electronic Prior Authorization Acceleration initiative to address key challenges and drive solutions ahead of 2027 requirements. To date, 29 health care organizations – including health systems, electronic health record developers, physician practices, networks, and digital health […]
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June 10, 2026

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legislation

Tri-Departments release fertility excepted benefits proposed rule

On May 10, the Departments of Labor, HHS, and Treasury (the Departments) issued a proposed rule that would create a new category of limited excepted benefits to allow employers to offer stand-alone fertility benefits to their employees, similar to dental, vision, and other supplemental coverage. Benefits would be limited to fertility-related items and services for […]
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June 10, 2026

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