‘There Are Going To Be People Who Are Hurt’

‘Premiums Will Go Up Sharply,’ ‘In Arizona … Will Jump By 116 Percent’

“‘I can’t afford to get sick after paying for the health insurance,’ Ms. [Laura M. Schlett, 44, of Brandon, Miss., a suburb of Jackson] said.” (“Some Health Plan Costs To Increase By An Average Of 25 Percent, U.S. Says,” The New York Times, 10/24/16)

“Premiums will go up sharply next year under President Barack Obama's health care law, and many consumers will be down to just one insurer, the administration confirmed Monday” (“Obama Administration Confirms Double-Digit Premium Hikes,” AP, 10/24/16)

• “Premiums for mid-level Obamacare health plans sold on the federal exchanges will see their biggest jump yet next year... Monthly premiums for benchmark silver-level plans are going up by an average of 25 percent in the 38 states using the federal HealthCare.gov website, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in a report today.” (“Obamacare Benchmark Premiums To Rise 25% In Sharpest Jump Yet,” Bloomberg, 10/24/16)

• “In some states, the premium increases are striking. In Arizona, unsubsidized premiums for a hypothetical 27-year-old buying a benchmark ‘second-lowest cost silver plan’ will jump by 116 percent, from $196 to $422, according to the administration report.” (“Obama Administration Confirms Double-Digit Premium Hikes,” AP, 10/24/16)

• “Some states will see average monthly prices for benchmark silver plans spike at least 50 percent for 27-year-olds. Those states include Arizona, Alabama, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.” (“Benchmark Obamacare Premiums Jump 25 Percent Next Year, HHS Says,” Politico, 10/24/16)

• “By comparison, average prices for the second cheapest silver-level plan — which is used as the benchmark to determine premium subsidy levels — had increased by just 7.5 percent on average in 2016 and 2 percent in 2015.” (“Benchmark Obamacare Premiums Jump 25 Percent Next Year, HHS Says,” Politico, 10/24/16)

‘1 In 5 Consumers Will Only Have Plans From A Single Insurer To Pick From’

“Moreover, about 1 in 5 consumers will only have plans from a single insurer to pick from…” (“Obama Administration Confirms Double-Digit Premium Hikes,” AP, 10/24/16)

• “…21 percent of the customers shopping in the federal exchange will find only one insurance company, compared with just 2 percent for 2016.” (“Average Premiums For Popular ACA Plans Rising 25 Percent,” The Washington Post, 10/24/16)

“Among the states relying on HealthCare.gov, the typical number of plans available is declining by more than one-third, from 47 to 30. Competition is falling in all but four of those states, though the decrease varies significantly. … In Arizona, however, the number of plans will plummet from 65 to four.” (“Average Premiums For Popular ACA Plans Rising 25 Percent,” The Washington Post, 10/24/16)

PRESIDENT OBAMA: ‘There Are Going To Be People Who Are Hurt’

PRESIDENT OBAMA: “…there are going to be people who are hurt by premium increases or a lack of competition and choice.” (President Obama, Remarks, Miami, FL, 10/20/16)

• “President Barack Obama said his signature health-care law has ‘real problems’…” (Bloomberg, 10/3/16)

FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON on the consequences of Obamacare: “It’s the craziest thing in the world.” (“Bill Clinton Bashes Obamacare As ‘Crazy System’ While Campaigning For Hillary,” The Washington Times, 10/4/16)

• “‘You’ve got this crazy … the people are out there busting it, sometimes 60 hours a week, wind up with their premiums doubled and their coverage cut in half,’ Mr. Clinton told voters.” (“Bill Clinton Bashes Obamacare As ‘Crazy System’ While Campaigning For Hillary,” The Washington Times, 10/4/16)

“Minnesota's Democratic governor said Wednesday that the Affordable Care Act is ‘no longer affordable’ for many, a stinging critique from a state leader who strongly embraced the law and proudly proclaimed health reform was working in Minnesota just a few years ago.” (“Democrat Dayton: Health Law 'No Longer Affordable' For Many,” The Associated Press, 10/12/2016)

• “‘The reality is the Affordable Care Act is no longer affordable for increasing numbers of people,’ Dayton said...” (“Democrat Dayton: Health Law 'No Longer Affordable' For Many,” The Associated Press, 10/12/2016)