More healthcare premium increases are on the way for Arizona residents, according to Fox Business. Health Net, the largest insurance provider on the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace said that prices could increase by up to five percent. That may seem like a small amount, but for 2017, Arizona residents saw increases of 50 percent.
Arizona has seen numerous insurers leave the state, with just Blue Cross Blue Shield and Health Net remaining. Fox Business reports that the rates posted assume payments from the federal government into ACA marketplace will continue. Congress has yet to pass a budget for 2018, and the White House has indicated it may stop payments.
“This year, most Arizonans had only a single provider to choose from in the federal marketplace while facing premium increases on average of 50 percent,” said Patrick Ptak, a spokesman for Gov. Ducey, according to Fox Business. “The governor believes a healthy individual marketplace should provide choice, competition, and lower premiums for consumers.”
NFIB was disappointed by the Senate’s inability to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and the price increases it imposed that will remain in place.
“The skyrocketing cost of healthcare was made worse by Obamacare and now, after seven years of promises to repeal it, small businesses will continue to endure Obamacare’s crushing taxes and mandates,” said NFIB president and CEO Juanita Duggan in a press release.
