Last week Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and UnitedHealthcare, the two insurance companies in the state that offer plans through the ObamaCare marketplace, requested rate increases of 28 percent and 24.5 percent, respectively.
Insurance markets across the country are also increasing well above the rate of inflation.
Currently, the average Alabamian spends $193 a month buying the most basic coverage on the ObamaCare market, and $371 for a “Platinum” plan. Family plans cost even more.
In October 2013, many who previously bought individual plans received the dreaded “ObamaCare letters” informing them that their previous coverage did not comply with parts of the Affordable Care Act, and that a comparable plan would need to be purchased from the insurance marketplace, often with drastic increases in premiums.
While Republicans have vowed to “repeal and replace” the law—the U.S. House has voted dozens of times to repeal or weaken it—and the U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering a case that could shut down federally-run insurance marketplaces (including Alabama’s), the reality of having a Democrat in the White House means that the law will stay in place for at least the next year and a half.
Now we want to hear from you: Have your health insurance premiums dramatically increased since ObamaCare was implemented?
