Can Californians Afford to Improve Their Individual Health Coverage?
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While he previously worked to limit insurer's profits, he is now trying to expand some of the coverage limitations that are preventing some California citizens from getting the medical procedures they need.
The LA Times reports California's new legislation now mandates insurance policies to cover, among others:
- maternity services
- substance abuse treatments
- expanded cancer screenings
- mental health treatments
- HPV screenings
- oral cleft repair procedures
- durable medical equipment
- HIV testing
Some critics of the legislature worry that individual health insurance premiums will skyrocket, particularly with the addition of maternity coverage (previously only mandatory for group plans). However, the state's public health insurance assistance for financially-strapped pregnant women is currently funded with taxpayer money.
An estimated premium increase of .5% will not cancel out any relief taxpayers would feel by having fewer individuals needing state assistance for their medical needs. Based on 2007 premium averages, it would only mean a monthly increase of $1.30 for those that have purchased individual health insurance. The 5 million uninsured in California are unaffected by this legislation, and many of them must still utilize the Medi-Cal program.
While the newly passed bills herald great news for the currently insured, Schwarzenegger must now work to make individual health insurance affordable and available for every person that has been using state money for medical treatment.