The Los Angeles Times is reporting today that Blue Shield's premium hikes are hitting some policyholders with as much as an 86% premium increase. If this outrage doesn't get even cynical California legislators to act, nothing will. How can we afford insurance if an insurance company can raise rates at will by 86.5%!
Assembly Bill 52 (Feuer) is up for hearings this Spring. The bill simply gives California's elected insurance commissioner the power to stop excessive premium hikes before they take effect. Right now, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is powerless to stop Blue Shield or any other health insurance company.
You can weigh in for AB 52 with your own state legislators here. The time has come to put Blue Shield's greed in its place — under the authority of California's elected officials.
