In 2018, 44% of counties will have zero or only one insurer participating in Obamacare exchanges, according to a new CMS projection. (It’s in line with recent analyses from The New York Times and The Washington Post, as well.)
So what does that actually mean for millions of Americans?
- Higher premiums: Markets with fewer insurers have seen the largest increase in prices.
- Faster premium growth: The exit of insurers tends to result in higher premium growth rates.
- Less efficient care: Insurers without competition are less incentivized to create efficiencies in care delivery.
- Fewer limited provider network options: Insurers with competition often develop limited provider options to be price competitive.
Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute.
When Democrats imposed Obamacare on us, they explicitly promised the American people they’d have lower premiums and more choices. The exact opposite has happened.
Now that even they are admitting Obamacare is failing, it’s time for Democrats to stop obstructing and work with Republicans to clean up this mess they created.
