Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee Issued The Following Statement Today
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Following is a statement regarding the President’s announcement today from Peter V. Lee, Executive Director of Covered California:
Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, California has taken every opportunity to use the law to the maximum advantage of as many Californians as possible. As we share the President’s commitment to smooth as many edges as possible, we must carefully consider the opportunities created by today’s announcement regarding flexibility for those seeking new coverage and those who have plans that have been terminated. As staff develops options for the Board’s consideration at its meeting on November 21, 2013, as much information as possible will be gathered from our many stakeholders, regulators, policy leaders and other partners to determine how best to implement the President’s new guidance. From the beginning, Covered California has worked hard to be transparent and evidenced-based in its decisions, putting the interests of all Californians at the center of any policy decision it makes. The President’s action deserves a thoughtful response and we certainly understand the urgent need for clarity around this policy.
About Covered California
Covered California is the state’s marketplace for the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California, in partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services, was charged with creating a new health insurance marketplace in which individuals and small businesses can get access to affordable health insurance plans. With coverage starting in 2014, Covered California helps individuals determine whether they are eligible for premium assistance that is available on a sliding-scale basis to reduce insurance costs or whether they are eligible for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Small businesses can purchase competitively priced health insurance plans and offer their employees the ability to choose from an array of plans and may qualify for federal tax credits.
Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the new market work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the Governor and the Legislature. For more information on Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.