Obamacare Washington – Fewer Options, Higher Costs
While the American Health Care act remains stalled in congress, Obamacare continues to unravel in states all across the country with higher premiums and fewer plan options for millions. Now you can add Washington State to the list according to a joint news release from the offices of Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) .
Looking ahead to next year the number of Insurance companies drops from 13 to 12 but the number of available plans will be more than cut in half down from 154 plans this year to 71 plans in 2018.
Newhouse and McMorris Rodgers wrote, "Today, Washington State released its proposed plans and premiums for 2018, and Washingtonians are again facing higher health insurance costs and decreasing options in the individual marketplace - including zero plans in two counties. Proposed premium increases statewide reach as high as 38 percent. Despite state efforts to prop up this flawed, unstable law, it is clear that Obamacare is on an unsustainable path in our state. We refuse to allow this failed government-knows-best approach to healthcare to cause more damage, and are committed to working with our colleagues in Congress to ensure Washingtonians have access to the quality, affordable health insurance that they deserve."
Information provided by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner indicates Grays Harbor and Klickitat counties will have no insurer filed individual plans for 2018 while Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Pend Oreille, and San Juan counties will all have only insurer offering coverage plans on the exchange. Those counties with plans available could see rate hikes from 13 to 38%.