Health care remains a major focus of the public discussion as premium prices rise and choices dwindle. Throughout the summer and into the fall, Obamacare insurers will announce decisions about the prices they want to charge and plans they want to offer next year, submitting them to regulators for review and approval.
Research shows prices have been rising steadily since Obamacare was first implemented, more than doubling in some places because of its failed policies and regulations. The best way to provide relief for Americans struggling under these heavy burdens is to replace Obamacare with free-market solutions that put patients and doctors—not federal bureaucrats—in charge of health care decisions and dollars. The three states that have begun to provide this kind of relief – after being granted federal waivers from Obamacare - are seeing rate reductions. Congress should go farther and make it easy for states to take these actions.
- Over the first three years of Obamacare, per capita monthly premiums in Illinois increased by 59%, from $247 in 2013 to $394 in 2016.
- Over the first five years of Obamacare, 67% fewer insurers offered Exchange coverage in Illinois, from 12 in 2013 to 4 in 2018.
- 2019 Rate Request Submission: In Illinois, Blue Cross & Blue Shield proposes an average rate reduction of 0.9% for 2019. Celtic (a subsidiary of Centene) proposes a rate increases of 0.27% and 1.11% for its plans, Health Alliance proposes an average rate increase of 7.45%, and Cigna proposes a 10.7% average rate increase.
- 2019 Rate Finalized: Finalized by mid-October
Edmund F. Haislmaier– Edmund F. Haislmaier is an expert in health care policy and frequently is asked to help lawmakers design and draft reforms to the health systems.
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