Thursday, May 26, 2016

Sasse Reacts to Obamacare's Premium Hikes in Nebraska


    

U.S. Senator Ben Sasse issued the following statement regarding the news that families who get their health insurance on Obamacare’s exchanges from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska or Medica could face an average premium rate increase of 35 percent next year.
“A 35 percent premium increase isn’t political for Nebraska families – it’s unaffordable, plain and simple. This massive rate hike follows the trend created by Obamacare. Never-ending cost increases combined with decreasing insurer competition and choice is even more proof that this law just doesn’t work. Nebraskans deserve relief from this failure. Relief cannot come from more European-style, centrally-planned boondoggles – it has to come from true, patient-centered reform.” 
Background:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska is requesting average rate increase of 34.9 percent for individual ACA exchange plans for 2017.
According to their filing, "The increase will affect approximately 13,000 policyholders, representing about 25,000 members, based on our April 2016 membership numbers."
Medica, another company selling on the exchange in Nebraska, is requesting an average rate increase of 34.5 percent for 2017 individual plans. Medica says this will impact an estimated 5,791 members.
Information on these rate increases can be found here.
Information on exchange insurer choice and competition can be found here.

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