“The health insurance industry and some public policy makers oppose Proposition 45 and contend the initiative would fundamentally undermine the reforms of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Under the ACA, the state health insurance exchange has the ability to negotiate rates with insurance providers. Opponents also believe that the proposal would allow outside interest groups to challenge any rate increases and create delays that could result in no approved rate during the open enrollment period. Some even argue that the language of the measure is intentionally ambiguous and could permit the Insurance Commissioner to make changes to health plan benefits, co-payments, and deductibles. Peter Lee, the Executive Director of Covered California, testified before the Committees and suggested the initiative could diminish Covered California’s authority to negotiate with health plans regarding rates. Furthermore, if negotiations are impacted, it could result in insurers leaving the California marketplace. The measure will be thoroughly debated in the ensuing months before Californians vote on the initiative on November 4.”   This excerpt from Norwood & Associates http://nalobby.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/This-Week-in-Sacramento-July-3-2014.pdf

Conference presentation by California Association of Health Underwriters (CAHU)