Sample Letter of SupportAB 922 (Monning) – Office of Health Consumer Assistance

[DATE]

Governor Jerry Brownc/o State Capitol, Suite 1173Sacramento, CA 95814Fax: (916) 558-3160

Re: AB 922 (Monning) – Support

Dear Governor Brown,

[Your organization] supports AB 922, authored by Assemblymember William Monning, which would create an Office of Health Consumer Assistance to answer questions about and help resolve problems related to health care.

California currently has a complex system of offices and assistance centers to help health care consumers’ access information on their health insurance. Depending on whether the consumer has employer-based or public coverage, if they are in Medicare or Med-Cal, or if they have a PPO instead of an HMO, enrollees do not currently have a “one-stop shop” that they can contact with questions about their coverage. Headquartered at the state, this Office would contract with local community-based service providers to include consumer-friendly and culturally appropriate services. The federal government recognizes the need for increased consumer assistance and is making grants available to states to implement this goal.

As California prepares to roll out coverage to millions of more people in the coming years, it will be increasingly important to help the newly insured, as well as those who might have changes in their coverage, obtain information and assistance in navigating this new system. Also, a large portion of the newly-insured will have been uninsured in the recent past. California’s uninsured population has different needs than those who are consistently covered. This includes people who primarily speak a language other than English, who have never navigated a health insurance plan, and who have perhaps never consistently seen a health care provider. For all those reasons, Californians need a centralized hub to connect to when dealing with questions or problems with their coverage.

Currently, community-based health consumer centers play a critical role in helping consumers by providing one-on-one assistance to educate individuals about their health care options, facilitate enrollment, maintain coverage, and troubleshoot problems that may arise in accessing care. Trusted resources in their communities, they are often the “go-to” resource for those who might not otherwise seek help with health care questions. They understand how to reach and assist low-income and vulnerable populations – the people who will be most dramatically impacted by the

new law and often are most in need of assistance. They know the local health care arenas and how to help consumers navigate them.

Services provided by this office would include:

Provide outreach and education about health coverage options and how to navigate the health care arena, e.g. how to choose a plan or doctor.

Educate health consumers about their rights and responsibilities. Advise and assist consumers with health care problems. Advise and assist consumers with filing complaints and appeals. Provide these services in a linguistically and culturally competent manner.

Given the new choices in health coverage and resources, California needs a central forum to help expand consumers’ knowledge about their health care and help them solve problems. For those reasons [Your Organization] supports AB 922 and we urge you to sign this important legislation.

Sincerely,

XXXXXXXXX

cc: Assemblymember William Monning, Fax: (916) 319-2127Vanessa Cajina, Western Center on Law & Poverty, Fax: (916) 442-7966