Skip to content
Support your local source for news and music...
and you could win a $500 Apple gift card.
Support CapRadio today and you could win a $500 Apple gift card.
2019 Year-End | Apple
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

Capital Public Radio

Capital Public Radio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • beats
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    • California Dream
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Roots
    • Eclectic
    • Videos
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight with Beth Ruyak
    • The View From Here
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • Insight Music
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • CapRadio Travels
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support / Underwriting
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Volunteering
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Health Care
  • State Government
  •  

California Bills To Address Health Costs, Provider Access Move Through Legislature

  •  Pauline Bartolone 
Thursday, August 14, 2014 | Sacramento, CA | Permalink
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
source: StockMonkeys.com via Flickr
 

source: StockMonkeys.com via Flickr

A handful of California bills dealing with insurance and provider access passed key legislative committees Thursday.

Health consumer advocates say the bills address concerns about “narrow provider networks” that have received attention under the Affordable Care Act. 

One of the measures is called the “Patients’ Bill of Rights” by its backers.

It would protect patients from paying more for out-of-network care if a contracted doctor is not available when treatment is needed.

“[The bill] would require these insurance companies to provide the level of care that is
actually promised that patients expect to be getting," says Don Nielsen is Government Relations Director with the California Nurses Association, which sponsored the bill.

"If they don’t provide it in a timely manner, then patients can go outside that
network and obtain the medical care they need at no extra costs, ” says Nielsen.

But Nicole Evans of the California Association of Health Plans says there are already laws in place that protect consumers.

“Health plans are required by law to maintain adequate networks and ensure timely access to doctors appointments or else they face regulatory action by the state of California.”

Insurers don’t like other measures that are moving closer to passage. One would tighten government monitoring of patient access to doctors. Another would require health plans to track consumers’ out-of-pocket expenses and reimburse patients who overpay.

 health carepatient bill of rights

Pauline Bartolone

Reporter

Pauline Bartolone has been a journalist for more than 15 years, during which she was Capital Public Radio’s healthcare reporter from 2011-2015. Her work has aired frequently on National Public Radio.  Read Full Bio 

Comments

Sign up for ReCap

and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Wednesday.

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

More Health Care Stories

Damian Dovarganes / AP Photo

This Story Contains A Warning That Might Cause Alarm — Or Apathy

November 29, 2019

Elizabeth Aguilera / CalMatters

Med School Free Rides And Loan Repayments — California Tries To Boost Its Dwindling Doctor Supply

December 2, 2019

Most Viewed

What's The Best Way To Help Homeless Sacramento Residents? Here's What They Say.

Ceres Pays $4.1 Million To Settle Two Fatal Shooting Lawsuits Involving The Same Officer

PG&E Withheld Information About Medically At-Risk Customers Ahead Of Major Power Shutoff

California Legislature Won't Disclose Latest Sexual Harassment Complaint Data

Placer County To Inspect Carbon Monoxide Alarms In Short-Term Rentals After Close Call In Tahoe

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

What's The Best Way To Help Homeless Sacramento Residents? Here's What They Say.

Ceres Pays $4.1 Million To Settle Two Fatal Shooting Lawsuits Involving The Same Officer

PG&E Withheld Information About Medically At-Risk Customers Ahead Of Major Power Shutoff

California Legislature Won't Disclose Latest Sexual Harassment Complaint Data

Placer County To Inspect Carbon Monoxide Alarms In Short-Term Rentals After Close Call In Tahoe

Back to Top

  • 7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Recap Newsletter

Capital Public Radio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2019, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.