ObamaCare Premiums Rise Sharply for 2nd Year in a Row

Premiums for the most popular ObamaCare plans are going up an average of 34%, according to a study released Wednesday that confirms dire predictions about the impact of political turmoil on consumers. Window-shopping on HealthCare.gov went live Wednesday, so across the country consumers going online can see the consequences themselves ahead of the Nov. 1 start of sign-up season for 2018, the AP reports. The consulting firm Avalere Health crunched newly released government data and found that the Trump administration's actions are contributing to the price hikes by adding instability to the underlying problems of the health law's marketplaces.

The Avalere analysis is for the 39 states using HealthCare.gov. Along with the increase for silver plans, premiums are going up for different levels of coverage, including bronze (18%), gold (16%), and platinum (24%). Many states had higher increases. Avalere found that average silver-plan premiums will go up by 49% in Florida, 43% in Missouri, and 65% in Wyoming. Consumers eligible for income-based tax credits will be protected from rising premiums, but those who pay full cost face a second consecutive year of sharp premium increases. Only three states will see declines—Alaska, Arizona, and North Dakota. (An ObamaCare remedy might make it into a bipartisan spending bill.)