• Over the first three years of Obamacare, per capita monthly premiums in California increased by 49%, from $271 in 2013 to $403 in 2016.
• Over the first five years of Obamacare, 8% fewer insurers offered Exchange coverage in California, from 12 in 2013 to 11 in 2018.
• 2019 Rate Request: In California,Valley Health Plan is the only insurer proposing to reduce rates (by an average of 1.2 percent). The other insurers offering exchange coverage are seeking the following average rate increases:Molina (1.6%),Blue Cross (4.1%), L.A. Care (6.7%),Oscar Health (6.7%),Western Health Advantage (7%),Health Net (7.5%),Chinese Community Health Plan (8.5%),Blue Shield (9.8%), Kaiser (10%) and Sharp Health Plan (10.2%). In addition, Sutter Health Plan, which only sells coverage off the Exchange, has requested an average rate increase of 14.9%.
• 2019 Rate Finalized: Finalized by mid-October

Health care remains a major focus of the public discussion as premium prices rise and choices dwindle. Throughout the summer and into the fall, Obamacare insurers will announce decisions about the prices they want to charge and plans they want to offer next year, submitting them to regulators for review and approval. Research shows prices have been rising steadily since Obamacare was first implemented, more than doubling in some places because of its failed policies and regulations.

The best way to provide relief for Americans struggling under these heavy burdens is to replace Obamacare with free-market solutions that put patients and doctors—not federal bureaucrats—in charge of health care decisions and dollars.

The three states that have begun to provide this kind of relief – after being granted federal waivers from Obamacare - are seeing rate reductions. Congress should go farther and make it easy for states to take these actions.

This piece was authored by Ed Haislmaier.