Double-Digit Rate Increases Expected Under Mass. Mandatory Health Law; 5% Cap on Rate Hike...( California Labor Poised to Sell O...),Health

California Labor Poised to Sell Out Consumers with Unaffordable Mandate

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Massachusetts insurance premiums expected to rise as much as 14% have led a state panel to propose a 5% cap on rate increases for state-sold health plans. The vote came less than a month before every citizen of Massachusetts is required to purchase health insurance or pay penalties that increase monthly, and as California politicians and labor are rumored to be close to making a similar deal.

Developments in both states cast a shadow over whether mandatory purchase of health insurance can ever succeed in America, said the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR).

The Massachusetts board overseeing the mandatory purchase law will also discuss shifting more costs to low-income consumers by doubling or tripling co-pays for state-subsidized health insurance plans at a meeting on Thursday.

A plan by California Assembly Speaker Nunez and Governor Schwarzenegger to require all Californians to purchase private health insurance may have less affordability protections for consumers than Massachusetts, if rumors about the deal are true.

California labor organizations are expected to meet Wednesday morning to consider a deal that would eliminate any guarantees of affordability for consumers, including out of pocket maximums or exemptions from the mandate. SEIU leader Andy Stern has reportedly cut a deal with Governor Schwarzenegger that he is trying to force all of labor to accept, despite inadequate protections for patients outside the labor movement. The deal is said to include higher employer contributions and to reserve the right to veto benefit reductions for unionized workplaces.

"It's outrageous that California lawmakers are closing their eyes to the fact that Massachusetts is burdened with out-of-control costs in a program that is just six months old. Massachusetts' experie
'/>"/>