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THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CALIFORNIA - This site is dedicated to exposing the continuing Marxist Revolution in California and the all around massive stupidity of Socialists, Luddites, Communists, Fellow Travelers and of Liberalism in all of its ugly forms.


"It was a splendid population - for all the slow, sleepy, sluggish-brained sloths stayed at home - you never find that sort of people among pioneers - you cannot build pioneers out of that sort of material. It was that population that gave to California a name for getting up astounding enterprises and rushing them through with a magnificent dash and daring and a recklessness of cost or consequences, which she bears unto this day - and when she projects a new surprise the grave world smiles as usual and says, "Well, that is California all over."

- - - - Mark Twain (Roughing It)

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Obamacare California slashes spending



You Mean it's NOT free?


(Los Angeles Times)  -  After using most of $1 billion in federal start-up money, California's Obamacare exchange is preparing to go on a diet.

That financial reality is reflected in Covered California's proposed budget, to be released Wednesday, as well as a reduced forecast calling for 2016 enrollment of fewer than 1.5 million people.

The recalibration comes after tepid enrollment growth for California during the second year of the Affordable Care Act. The state ended open enrollment in February with 1.4 million people signed up, far short of its goal of 1.7 million.

Covered California can't draw on the state general funds, and its primary source of revenue is a $13.95 monthly fee tacked onto every individual policy sold.

"This budget marks a turning point for Covered California of moving from a start-up with federal support to demonstrating we can operate under our own steam for years to come," said Peter Lee, Covered California's executive director.

The budget details include proposals to:

  • Spend $58 million less compared with the current fiscal year, a 15% reduction.
  • Devote the largest portion, $121.5 million, to outreach, sales and marketing. That's down 33% from the current year.
  • Maintain the monthly $13.95 fee for each individual policyholder, which would raise $233.2 million in revenue.
  • The state also would draw on $100 million in federal money in reserves — the last of the start-up grant. No further federal funding is expected.

"Holding fees flat like they did is an important safeguard for the affordability of Covered California coverage," said Nicole Evans, a spokeswoman for the California Assn. of Health Plans.

"As the myriad of interest groups pressure the board to fund their projects, they need to stand firm in protecting premium prices and holding down the budget," she said.

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