Senate Postpones Vote on HMO Bill

A state Senate committee postponed a vote Wednesday on legislation supported by Cypress-based PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. that would limit the state’s power to investigate health maintenance organizations.

Sen. Ross Johnson (R-Irvine), sponsor of SB 2061, withdrew the bill from the Senate Insurance Committee’s agenda after its chairman, Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-Los Angeles) agreed to hold hearings on the subject next fall, sources said.

The bill would limit state access to confidential health-plan documents, including patient records, those involving review of physician activities and plan decisions, and a plan’s internal financial and administrative operations.