Study: ObamaCare premiums could increase 90 percent over three years for some states

Some states could see ObamaCare premiums increase by 90 percent over the next three years, according to a new study released Wednesday. 

Every state could see premium increases because of changes the GOP Congress and Trump administration have made to the law, with states in the South and Midwest facing the highest jumps between 2019 and 2021. 

{mosads}Beginning in 2019, premiums increases could range from 12 to 32 percent in the U.S.

Cumulatively, states could see increases ranging from 35 to 90 percent from 2019 to 2021. 

The report, released by California’s insurance marketplace, estimates that states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Texas could see cumulative increases of 90 percent by 2021.

Indiana, Illinois and Iowa could see increases of 50 percent in the same time period. 

“The challenges to our health care system are threatening to have real consequences for millions of Americans,” said Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California.

“The prospect of 30 percent premium increases in 2019 and hikes of over 90 percent over the next three years threatens access to coverage for millions of Americans.”

The report cited Congress’ repeal of ObamaCare’s individual mandate, which takes effect next year, as one reason for possible premium increases. 

That change alone could spur premium increases of 15 percent by 2019. 

Additionally, the administration’s actions to expand association health plans and short-term health plans could pull healthy people out of ObamaCare markets, the study says, leading to premium increases for those remaining. 

The report laid out policies that could mitigate premium increases, including funding key ObamaCare subsidies President Trump cut off last year, increasing marketing and outreach for open enrollment and creating a reinsurance program to help insurers cover the costs of expensive patients. 

Some lawmakers in Congress have been working on a bill to stabilize ObamaCare’s insurance markets, with hopes of including it in a long-term spending bill this month.