A measure that would have capped out-of-pocket expenses for people in high-deductible health insurance plans has died in the State Assembly. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.
High-deductible health insurance policies have lower annual premiums. But consumer groups complain these plans require patients to pick up most of the tab for a variety of expensive services.
The measure to cap out-of-pocket expenses fell three votes short of passage in the Assembly.
Jerry Flanagan is with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.
Unfortunately the insurance industry is very powerful in Sacramento. Just over the last two years they've spent 500-thousand dollars in lobbying campaign contributions just in the Assembly.
Flanagan says the measure failed even though it got a majority of yes votes. He says that's because seven Democratic Assembly members, including San Diego's Juan Vargas, didn't vote on the issue.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
