“Health industry officials say ObamaCare-related premiums will double in some parts of the country, countering claims recently made by the administration.
The expected rate hikes will be announced in the coming months amid an intense election year, when control of the Senate is up for grabs. The sticker shock would likely bolster the GOP’s prospects in November and hamper ObamaCare insurance enrollment efforts in 2015.
The industry complaints come less than a week after Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sought to downplay concerns about rising premiums in the healthcare sector. She told lawmakers rates would increase in 2015 but grow more slowly than in the past.
“The increases are far less significant than what they were prior to the Affordable Care Act,” the secretary said in testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee.
Her comment baffled insurance officials, who said it runs counter to the industry’s consensus about next year.
“It’s pretty shortsighted because I think everybody knows that the way the exchange has rolled out … is going to lead to higher costs,” said one senior insurance executive who requested anonymity.
From the Daily Caller
Health insurance premiums have risen more after Obamacare than the average premium increases over the eight years before it became law, according to the private health exchange eHealthInsurance.
The individual market for health insurance as seen premiums rise by 39 percent since February 2013, eHealth reports. Without a subsidy, the average individual premium is now $274 a month. Families have been hit even harder with an average increase of 56 percent over the same period — average premiums are now $663 per family, over $426 last year.
Between 2005 and 2013, average premiums for individual plans increased 37 percent and average family premiums were upped 31 percent. So they have risen faster under Obamacare than in the previous eight years.
2 cents:
Lie now and deal with it later is the SOP for the Obama administration when it comes to the so-called Affordable Care Act which the name itself is guilty of the rule. Lie now, it has been the go to for many of his poor policies and actions. Lie now because he wants something done and despite what he believes about himself, he doesn’t know everything or even half so. Policies and actions of this president are not based off of or from strong and sound foundations. But he doesn’t want to be bothered with such details because he believes he is right so – say and do whatever needs to be done to get done what I want. That is the summation of this president. He wants the pomp but not the circumstance. He must be worshipped but don’t hold him accountable. He is a monstrosity born from the superficial narcissistic bent of our society. God, in His infinite wisdom, gave us – the citizens of the USA – a president we deserved. Heaven help us. Now Almighty God let us have an American Spring so the ship of our country can be righted and healed.
Hope, Levity and Wonder 