Healthcare Policy

Obamacare

A November 2013 study of 49 states conducted by the Manhattan Institute estimated that Obamacare would increase premiums in the individual markets by an average of 41%, with a shift in costs from those close to retirement age toward the healthy, young, and male. Younger, healthy males would experience a 99% rise in insurance costs, while younger women would experience a 55-62% rise. Additionally, insurees would experience an overall rise in costs due to a range of mandatory coverage. Due to pre-existing state-to-state differences in healthcare coverage requirements, the amount of increase was estimated to vary by state. For example, in North Carolina a 305% increase in insurance costs was expected, while in Nebraska the rise would be by 237%. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2013/11/04/49-state-analysis-obamacare-to-increase-individual-market-premiums-by-avg-of-41-subsidies-flow-to-elderly/#2ce1d8277f6b) 

The Obama administration's promise, "If you like your old policy, you can keep it," turned out to be empty, as many in the self-coverage market quickly discovered that their existing plans would be cancelled due to "noncompliance with the Affordable Care Act."  

According to Roy, ""This is a redistribution of wealth from the healthy to the sick, from the young to the old, from the people who have always had insurance to the uninsured." (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/study-insurance-costs-to-soar-under-obamacare/)

References

Roy, Avik. "49-State Analysis: Obamacare to increase individual market premiums by average of 41%," Forbes, November 4, 2013. https://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2013/11/04/49-state-analysis-obamacare-to-increase-individual-market-premiums-by-avg-of-41-subsidies-flow-to-elderly/#2ce1d8277f6b

Kristof, Kathy. "Study:  Insurance costs to soar under Obamacare," Moneywatch, September 30, 2013. (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/study-insurance-costs-to-soar-under-obamacare/)