Crapo Statement on Double Digit Increases in Obamacare Premiums

WASHINGTON - Following reports that premiums for Obamacare health plans will increase on average of 25 percent nationally and by 24 percent in Idaho in 2017 , Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee issued the following statement:

"Once again, Idahoans are seeing that Obamacare is not solving the issues or providing the solutions it was supposed to achieve. From reduced plan options, to costly deductibles to a lack of choice in doctors, patients are now being saddled with a premium increase of nearly 25 percent.  While titled the 'Affordable Care Act,' Obamacare has failed to control costs for patients and offer the choices promised by President Obama.  Now, in its implementation, we are seeing the weight of the law collapse at the expense of working families.  In Idaho families will see an increase of more than 24 percent in their premiums and while there are five plans providing coverage in Idaho, reports indicate that for 2017, not all carriers or plans may be available across the state."

According to  data  released today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Obamacare premiums will increase, on average, 25 percent for benchmark plans on the federal exchange. When accounting for both federal and state exchanges, benchmark plans are forecasted to rise by an average of percent.

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