The California Assn. of Health Plans is fighting the proposed legislation on the grounds that it curtails ways to keep premiums affordable and the federal healthcare law addresses the issue. "Capping out-of-pocket costs doesn't make healthcare less expensive. It just shifts costs into premiums," said Charles Bacchi, executive vice president of the industry group.
But supporters say the uncertainty of whether the federal healthcare law will survive a constitutional challenge gives even more reason to enact these consumer protections at the state level.
