Millions of Americans relying on Obamacare face another double-digit price increase, with average marketplace premiums rising 13 percent next year. The increases reflect higher medical costs nationwide and signal further blows to the Affordable Care Act under the Trump administration, which has expired tax credits and erected new enrollment barriers. KFF calculated the increase using federal government data for 30 states and state figures nationwide. Similar premium hikes are expected in employer plans covering 150 million people, with federal workers facing over 10 percent increases.
A recent KFF poll found 60 percent of voters worried about affording health care. Rural Oregon couple Kate and Mark Dwyer, already on the cheapest plan, will see costs rise by over $500 monthly to nearly $3,000—more than a third of Ms. Dwyer's nonprofit salary. The Trump administration sent $500 checks to Obamacare customers before the midterm elections, where affordability has been a central issue.
Open enrollment began Sunday as voters head to the polls.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing