Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a San Francisco Democrat, has joined forces with those seeking approval of an initiative that would allow California to regulate health insurance rates.

A consumer group wants to make the handling of the 39% Anthem rate request in California a model for reform.

While not included in sweeping federal health reform, the head of the Senate’s health committee said “we can and should do more” to protect consumers from unjustified premium increases.

Omitting a government-run health insurance program from a Senate reform bill will give private insurers “free rein” to increase premiums and “drive up the cost of federal subsidies,” according to a group of Senate Democrats.