Insurers Have Requested Astronomical Rate Increases In 2018, Meaning Obamacare Is Going To Become Even More Unaffordable

TOP TAKEAWAYS

Insurers have started releasing their proposed premium increases for states participating in the 2018 Obamacare individual exchanges, and it looks like Obamacare is going to become even more unaffordable.

Among the individual premium rates released, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company of Virginia announced the highest proposed maximum rate increase at 179.9 percent.

Among the averages of the premium rates released, HealthNow New York requested the highest average rate increase of 47.3 percent.

These rate increases contradict years of Democratic promises that Obamacare would lower the cost of care for Americans.

INSURERS ON OBAMACARE EXCHANGES HAVE REQUESTED INCREASES IN PREMIUM RATES FOR THE 2018 MARKET EXCHANGE

States Have Publically Released Proposed Premium Rates From Insurers Who Intend To Participate In The 2018 Affordable Care Act Exchanges

Among The Already Released Rates, Some Of The Highest Proposed Rates Come From Virginia, Indiana, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, And Maryland

In Virginia, Cigna Health And Life Insurance Company Requested A Maximum Rate Increase Of 179.9 Percent. ("2018 Virginia ACA Rate Filings," Commonwealth Of Virginia State Corporation Commission , Accessed 7/20/17)

In Indiana, Celtic Insurance Company Requested A Maximum Rate Increase Of 117.7 Percent. ("Indiana 2018 Federal Marketplace Filings," Indiana Department Of Insurance , 6/22/17)

In Maine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Requested A Maximum Rate Increase Of 106.1 Percent. "The proposed average annual rate changes in this filing range from 17.0% to 37.8% for each plan, and the rate increase for subscriber renewing is from 12.7% to 106.1%." ("The Harvard Pilgrim Individual HMO Rate Filing," Harvard Pilgrim Health Care , 7/14/17)

In Nevada, HMO Colorado Inc., D.B.A. HMO Nevada Requested A Maximum Rate Increase Of 100.6 Percent. ("Health Insurance Rate Change Search Results," Nevada Division Of Insurance , 6/12/17)

New Mexico Health Connections Requested A Maximum Rate Increase Of 84.86 Percent. ("Health Insurance Rate Review," New Mexico Office Of Superintendent Of Insurance , 6/9/17)

In Maryland, Evergreen Insurance Inc. Requested A Maximum Rate Increase of 79.7 Percent. ("Rate Requests," Maryland Insurance Administration , 5/4/17)

Senate Democrats Must Face Their Constituents, Who Likely Will Grapple With Even Higher Premiums In 2018 Under Obamacare

In New York, Where Senator Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) Serves, HealthNow New York Requested An Average Rate Increase Of 47.3 Percent For 2018. ("Summary Of Requested 2018 Rate Actions," NY State Department Of Financial Services , Accessed 6/29/17)

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In Connecticut, Where Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) Serves, Anthem Requested An Average Rate Increase Of 33.8 Percent For 2018. "Anthem is requesting an average increase of 33.8 percent for policies marketed both on and off the state exchange, Access Health CT." (Press Release, "Insurance Commissioner: June 14 Rate Hearings Scheduled For Anthem And ConnectiCare Benefits Inc.," Connecticut Insurance Department , 5/30/17)

In Michigan, Where Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) Serves, Total Health Care Which Insures Nearly 9,000 People Requested An Average Rate Increase Of 27.6 Percent For 2018. "Total Health Care, which insurers nearly 9,000 people on the individual market, is seeking average rate increases of 27.6% according to filings that assume the cost-sharing subsidies will end." (JC Reindl and Todd Spangler, "Obamacare Rates In Michigan Could Skyrocket As Much As 31% In 2018," Detroit Free Press , 6/14/17)

In Vermont, Where Senator Bernie Sander (I-VT) Serves, Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Vermont Requested A Maximum Rate Increase Of 14.6 Percent For 2018. "BCBSVT, the state's largest insurer, has offered qualified health plans both directly and through Vermont Health Connect since the exchange's launch in 2014. BCBSVT's filing consists of a total increase of 12.7 percent, with a full 6 percent attributed to cost drivers unrelated to direct health care services." (Press Release, "Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Vermont Files 2018 Rate Request With The Green Mountain Care Board, Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Vermont , 5/15/17)

THESE PROPOSED RATE HIKES DON'T MATCH THE PROMISES DEMOCRATS MADE ABOUT OBAMACARE

These Dramatic Proposed Rate Increases Fly In The Face Of Years Of Democrat Claims That Obamacare Would Lower Healthcare Costs And Reduce Premiums

In 2009, Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL) Stated That Health Care Reform Would Not Force Families "To Pay More For Their Health Insurance Premiums Than They Pay For Their Housing." "Real reform will guarantee that all Americans can afford quality health care. No longer should families be forced to pay more for their health insurance premiums than they pay for their housing. Our goal should not be to exempt those Americans who cannot afford to pay, our goal should be to guarantee that every American can afford the health care they need." (Sen. Dick Durbin, Congressional Record , 6/16/09, p. S6616)

In 2009, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) Claimed That If Congress Didn't "Move Forward On Health Insurance Reform" Then "Premiums For Virginia Families Will Continue To Rise." "If we do not move forward on health insurance reform, premiums for Virginia families will continue to rise, employers will remain at a competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace, and federal budget deficits will go from bad to worse." (Press Release, "Statement From Sen. Mark Warner On Health Care Vote," Sen. Mark Warner , 11/21/09)

In 2010, Former President Barack Obama Claimed Obamacare Would "Bend The Cost Curve And Start Actually Reducing Health Care Costs." PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: "And everybody who's looked at it says that every single good idea to bend the cost curve and start actually reducing health care costs are in this bill." (President Barack Obama, Remarks To House Democrats , Washington D.C., 3/20/10)

In 2013, Former President Obama Claimed That His Federal Exchange Would Help "95 Percent Of Uninsured American" Have "Premium Costs Less Than Expected" And That "A Lot Of Americans Will Pay Significantly Less For Their Insurance Than They Do Now." "In states where the federal government helps run these marketplaces, the average American will have more than 50 different plans to choose from, with different levels of coverage. And because insurance companies are competing against one another for your business, a lot of Americans will pay significantly less for their insurance than they do now. Premiums are going to be different in different parts of the country, depending on how much coverage you buy. But 95 percent of uninsured Americans will see their premiums cost less than was expected." (Barack Obama, Remarks At Prince George's Community College , Largo, MD, 9/26/13)

In 2010, Senate Minority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Claimed Obamacare Would Manage The "Costs That Are Out Of Control." SEN. SCHUMER: "You bet. And that's why it's been crafted the way it is, to be realistic. But some of the cost-cutting will go into effect right away. Everyone knows the waste, the fraud, the abuse, the duplication in the system. The answer on the other side is do nothing, repeal it. We have to get a handle on costs. And for me, at least, the number one rationale for this bill--I think it's important to cover people--but the most important thing to do is get a handle on the costs that are out of control, that are killing business, killing individuals, and killing our federal deficit." (NBC's " Meet The Press ," 3/28/10)

In 2013, House Minority Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Claimed Obamacare Was "Bringing The Cost Of Health Care In Our Country Down." REP. NANCY PELOSI: "Many of the initiatives that he passed are what are coming to bear now, including the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act is bringing the cost of health care in our country down in both the public and private sector." (Becky Bowers, "Nancy Pelosi Says Obamacare Is Bringing Down Health Care Costs," Politifact , 5/16/13)

Among The Democrats That Claimed Obamacare Would Lower Costs Are Senators That Represent States President Trump Won

Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) Claimed Democrats Would "Reduce Long-Term Costs, Lower The Deficit And Reduce Long Term-Spending." SEN. DEBBIE STABENOW: "In fact, one of the biggest ways we will save money is by focusing on keeping people healthy, focusing on ways that we change a system so we are not paying for individual procedures, but paying for those things the doctor needs to do and wants to do in total to help you recover from an operation or have the treatment you need. We are going to, importantly, reduce long-term costs, lower the deficit and reduce long-term spending." (Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Congressional Record , 11/19/09, p. S11587)

Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) Claimed The Affordable Care Act Would "Lower Costs And Extend Coverage To All." SEN. TAMMY BALDWIN: "Today, we convene to debate and advance legislation that delivers meaningful insurance reform, outlawing outrageous insurance abuses, lowering costs, and extending coverage to all." (Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Congressional Record , 11/07/09, p. H12843)

Senator Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA) Claimed That The "Good" Health Care Bill Would "Lower Costs" And "Control Long-Term Health Care." SEN. BOB CASEY JR: "We are going to make the changes and institute reforms that will lead to lower costs, better health care outcomes, and a better bottom line for small businesses and, therefore, control long-term health care costs and long-term national debt. All of that comes from a good health care bill in the end." (Sen. Bob Casey Jr., Congressional Record , 11/4/09, p. S11113)

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) Claimed That The Passage Of The Senate Health Care Bill Would "Lower Costs For Middle Class Families With Insurance." "'This bill will lower costs for middle class families with insurance, while providing help to 31 million Americans who lack it." (Press Release, "Sen. Brown Statement On Senate Passage Of Health Reform Legislation," Sen. Sherrod Brown , 12/24/09)

Senator Brown Also Claimed That "That Seniors On Medicare Will See "Prescription Drug Costs Cut In Half" With Obamacare. Seniors on Medicare will see their prescription drug costs cut in half and, for the first time, will have access to free annual check-ups and screenings." (Press Release, "Sen. Brown Statement On Senate Passage Of Health Reform Legislation," Sen. Sherrod Brown , 12/24/09)

Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) Stated The Senate Health Care Bill Would Make "Health Coverage More Affordable." "'In voting to move a health-care bill forward, my main goal was to help pass legislation that'll make health coverage more affordable and available for everybody. (Press Release, "Sen. Bill Nelson's Statement On Health-Care Vote," Sen. Bill Nelson , 12/21/09)

Senator Nelson Also Believed That The Affordable Care Act Would "Provide More Affordable Coverage For Millions Of Uninsured Americans." "'And when it comes to health care reform, we can't afford to sit by and do nothing anymore. I firmly believe this legislation will provide more affordable coverage for millions of uninsured Americans, prevent insurance companies from dropping folks who get sick and stop them from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.'" (Press Release, "Sen. Bill Nelson's Statement On Health-Care Vote," Sen. Bill Nelson , 12/21/09)

Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) Stated He Voted In Favor Of Obamacare Because It Will "Make Insurance Affordable For All Americans." "'This morning I voted to keep the government out of our health care decisions while making insurance affordable for all Americans."(Press Release, "Tester Statement On Passage Of Health Care Reform Bill," Sen. Jon Tester , 12/24/09)

Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) Declared That The Senate Health Care Bill Would "Mak[e] Insurance More Affordable." "McCaskill said the bill is not perfect but will 'vastly improve the current realities of health care in our country' by stabilizing health care costs, making insurance more affordable and available to most Americans and by reducing the deficit over 20 years." ("State's Senators, Candidates Follow Party Lines On Health Care Bill," Springfield News-Leader, 12/24/09)

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