California lawmaker's second try to rein in healthcare costs

California Assemblyman Dave Jones, D-Sacramento, wants to curb the practice of unregulated rate increases through legislation that would require the state's two health insurance regulators to approve health plan increases in premium, co-payment, deductible or other charges. Not surprisingly, the California Association of Health Plans opposes the bill. The trade group for the state's health insurers argues that such legislation would hinder plans from offering new products or changing existing policies, adding a "burdensome new regulatory scheme."