In the aftermath of Obamacare being rammed through Congress, President Obama repeatedly uttered the same refrain: ‘If you like your plan, you can keep it’. While his claims were found by many to be questionable at the time, practical experience has rendered those promises false as well.
A recent ‘fact check’ by the Associated Press called Obama’s claims “an empty promise” and also stated that “nothing in the health care law guarantees that people can keep the coverage they already have”.
Take the example of North Carolina, where many health insurance consumers are feeling the effects of rate shock as a result of Obamacare. In one instance, a family of four who previously purchased insurance through Blue Cross and Blue Shield, was notified that their $228 per month plan would be increasing by almost $1000, to $1,208 a month under Obamacare– a whopping 428% increase!
The increases are not just limited to North Carolina, however. Some of President Obama’s most ardent supporters in California have reported increases in their monthly premiums. In addition, the average healthy, 25 year old male will see a 93% increase in the amount they pay per month. According to a study by the American Action Forum, young people in all 50 states will see their premiums rise.
As a result of companies’ compliance with federal regulations, consumers are being accorded fewer and more expensive choices. As one Winston-Salem man who is facing a nearly $10,000 per year increase in his family's health insurance plan put it, “The president told us Obamacare would make health insurance affordable and reduce costs. It is now impossible for our family to afford private health insurance”. Not only are numerous consumers not allowed to keep their plans, the alternatives presented to them are unaffordable. North Carolinians should take a hard look at
Senator Kay Hagan, who provided the critical 60th vote to pass Obamacare in the United States Senate. They can thank her for the higher premiums and fewer options.