No Free Lunch: The True Cost of ObamaCare — The National Center for Policy Analysis
Government meddling in the health insurance market leads to higher premiums.
States which have instituted ObamaCare-like programs in recent decades have seen their average insurance premiums skyrocket2: In Kentucky, for example, average premiums shot up an astounding 36-165 percent after a 1994 government-managed reform measure was passed,3 Washington state residents saw a premium increase of up to 78 percent4 as a result of a similar program. State-managed care in Massachusetts has led to the most expensive average family plans in the nation.5
A study commissioned by the health-insurance industry found that provisions in one ObamaCare plan would increase health-insurance costs by $4,000 for the average family and $1,500 for the average individual.6 Another study, which was sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield, found that “premiums will rise up to 50 percent for individual policies and 19 percent for small group plans if health care reform passes.”7
Bottom line: Billions in new taxes and fees on insurers and health-care companies8 would be necessary to pay for ObamaCare - costs that would then be passed on to the consumer in the form of higher premiums.
Higher Taxes
When government promises to subsidize and expand health coverage, more and higher taxes are sure to follow.
Related Posts:
- Reason.com — The Problem is Cost of Care; Understanding America’s dysfunctional health care system
- Only 18% Say Those With Chronic Conditions Should Pay More in Health Insurance
- WSJ editorial: Obama’s Health Cost Illusion
- Poll: Only 32% Would Pay Higher Taxes to Provide Health Insurance for All
- Rep. Paul Ryan on what real health reform should look like
