Small Business Majority writes in support of AB 1611 concerning out-of-network emergency room bills, or surprise billing. The legislation would extend protections for consumers receiving emergency care and ensure that they are not billed for more than their in-network cost sharing responsibilities. Additionally, AB 1611 will help control overall costs by preventing hospitals from setting payment higher than 150% of the Medicare rate or the average contracted rate paid by the specific health insurer for the same services in the same region.
California Policy Statements
Browse the full list of our regulatory comments and legislative testimony below.
Wednesday, April 17, 2019 |
Thursday, April 11, 2019 |
Small Business Majority writes in support of SB 534, which encourages supplier diversity across insurance industries in California, creating opportunities for minority-owned small businesses. Minority small business ownership is growing at a significantly higher rate than other small businesses, and diverse entrepreneurs in particular represent enormous economic power within California. This legislation will ensure more dollars spent by California’s insurance companies go to businesses owned by diverse entrepreneurs, strengthening the state's economy overall.
Thursday, April 11, 2019 |
Small Business Majority writes in support of AB 1577, which would encourage increased local partnerships between public agencies and technical assistance providers to microenterprises. Increased partnership between government agencies and technical assistance centers will encourage vital investment in California’s job creators and chief exporters, particularly helping women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color. Indeed, increasing input from microenterprise development agencies into government programs will improve effectiveness of government programs.
Wednesday, March 27, 2019 |
Small Business Majority writes in support of AB 539, the Fair Access to Credit Act, which would eliminate the practice of charging unaffordable interest rates on consumer loans between $2,500 and $10,000. The legislation would protect small business borrowers from the predatory practices of triple-digit lenders, and as a result, greatly benefit entrepreneurs and small businesses in California that rely on consumer loans to grow their businesses.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019 |
Small Business Majority writes in support of AB 824 which would prevent “pay for delay” business practices by drug companies. The legislation would crack down on these practices through greater enforcement and by making them presumptively illegal, which shifts the burden of proof in lawsuits onto drug companies to prove these agreements are not anticompetitive. As a result, it will help ensure small business owners have access to affordable, quality healthcare options.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019 |
Small Business Majority writes in support of AB 731, which would extend existing rate review policies to the large group marketplace in California. The legislation would increase pricing transparency in the state and bring down costs for all consumers, including many small business owners.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019 |
Small Business Majority writes in support of SB 343, which would create healthcare data transparency parity across California’s healthcare industry. Requiring uniform disclosure information about healthcare usage, costs and outcomes would further efforts to improve affordability and quality of existing healthcare options for all Californians, including many entrepreneurs small business employees.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019 |
Small Business Majority writes in support of AB 929, which would require that current data reporting on health plan cost, quality and outcome required by Covered California be made publicly available. Making this data publicly available would increase transparency about healthcare costs and outcomes that would further efforts to improve affordability and quality of existing healthcare options for all Californians, including many entrepreneurs and small business employees.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019 |
Small Business Majority writes in support of AB 1309, which would extend California’s open enrollment period by two additional weeks. The legislation would help more Californians, including many small business owners and their employees, enroll in healthcare coverage.
Wednesday, March 13, 2019 |
Small Business Majority writes to urge the California legislature to include funding in the 2019-2020 State Budget for healthcare solutions that will expand access to affordable coverage. Through its budget, California can take immediate steps to protect its small business community by enacting practical, achievable reforms that will strengthen California’s marketplaces and control healthcare costs.
