Insurers propose rate hikes for Calif. small businesses; New survey finds interest in expanding small biz coverage

Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California propose raising health insurance rates up to 24 percent. Meanwhile, the poll finds that one in three small businesses now offer health coverage and 44 percent said they would likely do it if an insurance exchange opens.

Los Angeles Times: California Health Insurers Propose Raising Rates For Small Firms
Some California health insurers are proposing to raise small-business rates more than 10 percent next month, drawing scrutiny from state regulators. Aetna Inc., which drew the ire of state insurance officials for a rate hike earlier this year, wants to increase premiums 10 percent on average, and as high as 24 percent for some employers. Anthem Blue Cross, the state's largest for-profit insurer and a unit of WellPoint Inc., has proposed boosting rates 13 percent. Blue Shield of California is looking to charge some small employers up to 6 percent more (Terhune, 6/12).

Los Angeles Times: One-Third Of Small Firms In Calif. Offer Benefits, Survey Finds
One in three small businesses in California say they offer health coverage to workers, a new survey shows, and 44 percent say they are likely to provide benefits once a California insurance exchange opens in January 2014. The survey released Tuesday by nonprofit health plan Kaiser Permanente and Small Business Majority, an advocacy group that supports the federal health care law, shows some of the challenges to expanding health coverage and the lack of awareness about some of the assistance available (Terhune, 6/12).