One LA leaders, state officials address affordability of health insurance, The Tidings

One LA leaders, state officials address affordability of health insurance, The Tidings, Oct 07, 2011

By Doris Benavides

State insurance commissioner Dave Jones and a federal health official met Sept 18 with 200 community and religious leaders, members of One LA-IAF, to address the question, "Will Obama Administration's Health Care reforms have an impact in Los Angeles?"

Herb Schultz, Western Regional Director of the Department of Health and Human Services, joined Jones at the summit, during which One LA-IAF pointed out that 25 million of the 49 million Americans without health insurance work for or are dependent on small businesses. If Obama's health reforms aren't implemented effectively, half of uninsured Americans stand to lose out on the benefits promised in the Affordable Care Act, said leaders.

"In implementing reform, we must address the pressing concern of controlling rocketing healthcare costs," said Associate Rabbi Susan Leider of Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles, where the event was held.

The Points discussed at the summit were:-The operation of California's new Health Exchange: One LA's small business owners want to be heard regarding the criteria and cost of the Exchange. Schultz emphasized his commitment to meet with them and listen to their concerns.

-The Current status of (and strategy to pass) of AB52, which would give the insurance commissioner the power to regulate health insurance increases. Assemblyman Mike Feuer, participating in the event, reiterated his commitment to pass the bill.

Consumers, One LA officials stressed, are done with complicated health care policies that make it difficult to compare costs and benefits. They want action from the state to force health care policies to operate like those in the auto insurance industry.

The summit concluded with a mutual commitment to engage in talks that will lead to the desired change in health care in California.

One LA communities (churches, synagogues and civic institutions) stated their commitment to participate in Health Care Sabbaths and Health Care Sundays that will be held in member congregations in the months ahead.

"Through our 70 member institutions we plan to touch thousands of Californians by the spring of 2012" Rabbi Leider said.