ObamaCare premiums are set to rise by an average of 25 percent, an extreme increase by any standard. But this is just an average, which means Americans in some states will fare far worse.
The Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce Premium Increase Tracker provides the average premium increases in each state and the District of Columbia. A look at the data reveals the 10 states with the worst hikes. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) also points out what a single, childless 27-year-old who buys a standard ObamaCare plan is facing in 2017:
- Illinois: Illinois clocks in at number ten with an average rate increase of 35.44 percent. Some rates will climb by as much as 51.3 percent. Now a 27-year-old on the abovementioned silver plan will be forced to shell out on average $3,576 – over $1,000 more than in 2016.
- South Dakota: Those in the Mount Rushmore State will see their premiums rise by 37.25 percent. A 27-year-old on in South Dakota will pay $4,488, up from $3,240 this year.
- Kansas: Kansas falls behind South Dakota at an average 38.75 percent increase, with some plans reaching 49.41 percent. Their 27-year-olds are looking at a $3,696 yearly premium bill compared to average 2016 rate of $2,604.
- Nebraska: Husker fans will have less spare change for game days – or even basic necessities. With an average 39.90 percent premium hike, and some plans up to a 42.30 percent increase, Nebraskans on the exchanges have little to celebrate. The 27-year-old in Nebraska should anticipate paying $4,932 to seek the same silver plan – $1,668 more than they are now.
- West Virginia: With an average increase of 40.87 percent, and some plans as much as 45.83 percent higher, West Virginians will have less money to spend on everything else in life. For a 27-year-old, they will now need to spend $4,632 for similar coverage, $1,104 more than this year.
- New Mexico: While the average plan will increase by 41.48 percent in New Mexico, some will reach burning hot increases of 93.20 percent. Most 27-year-olds won’t see hikes that high, but will still need $2,688 for the second lowest silver price plan – $600 more than they needed this year.
- Tennessee: The average hike in Tennessee clocks in at 50.86 percent with some plans skyrocketing by 62 percent, many in the Volunteer State may have no choice but to opt out of the exchanges – the average increase for a 27-year-old is $1,788 annually.
- Minnesota: Minnesotans will now pay an average of 58.55 percent more for their ObamaCare plans, and some will pay as much as 66.80 more. For the second-cheapest silver plan, a 27-year-old can now expect to pay $4,080 instead of the $2,568 they’re paying now.
- Arizona: The runner up for the most astronomical increase is Arizona, where it surely won’t be a bragging point for the Arizonans stuck with average premium increase of 63.04 percent, with some reaching 74.50 percent. A 27-year-old who still wants to purchase the average low-level silver plan will have to pay a whopping $5,064 annually, a full $2,712 more than they’re paying today.
- Oklahoma: Oklahomans have the unfortunate distinction of witnessing the highest increase, with rates averaging 76 percent steeper than in 2016. A 27-year old who could barely afford the $3,012 it costs for the silver plan may decide not to dish out $5,088 for this year’s premium.
But no matter what state it is, millions of Americans, of all ages, are suffering under the failing ObamaCare system. And if keeping young people on the exchanges is key to salvaging it, these steep rates sure won’t lure them. Even with subsidies, the deal just isn’t that good. No wonder so many in my generation are avoiding ObamaCare.
The ObamaCare experiment has gone on long enough. Now that Americans are living under higher premiums and worse care – to name a few of ObamaCare’s problems – lawmakers should repeal the fundamentally flawed law and open up more choice and greater access to care.
Otherwise, the health-care map may look even gloomier in years to come.
Akash Chougule is the national policy director of Americans for Prosperity.