States represented by vulnerable Senate Dems see large premiums increases

Thu, 09/26/2013 - 2:11pm | posted by Jason Pye

As noted earlier today, the Obama Administration has released the rates yesterday for the state exchanges opening next month that will be run by the federal government. The rates, while lower than originally estimated, may still be unaffordable for someone trying to make it through these tough economic times.

But the senators up for re-election next year will, ultimately, have to explain to voters why they voted for the so-called “Affordable Care Act” — especially Sens. Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA), members who haven’t backed down from ObamaCare from states that went for Mitt Romney in 2012.

Below we’re taking a look at some of the states where we may see competitive Senate races next year and the effects of ObamaCare, using the same information from earlier today via the Wall Street Journal.

Here is a look at what a single, 27-year-old, non-smoker living in metropolitan areas in these states can expect to pay per month when they take out a “bronze” plan on the exchange, the least expensive available, compared to the lowest-cost, pre-ObamaCare rates (percentages are rounded down):

State Senator ACA vote Pre-ACA Post-ACA % increase
Alaska Mark Begich Yes $79 $254 221%
Arkansas Mark Pryor Yes $31 $190 512%
Iowa OPEN (Tom Harkin) Yes $70 $132 88%
Louisiana Mary Landrieu Yes $39 $170 335%
Michigan OPEN (Carl Levin) Yes $55 $138 150%
Montana OPEN (Max Baucus) Yes $66 $147 122%
New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen Yes $149 $186 24%
North Carolina Kay Hagan Yes $35 $183 422%
South Dakota OPEN (Tim Johnson) Yes $89 $196 120%
West Virginia OPEN (Jay Rockefeller) Yes $96 $176 86%
These premium estimates don’t include the subsidies available to those who may need assistance in purchasing health insurance coverage. It’s estimated that roughly half of Americans who purchase coverage on the exchange won’t have access to the subsidies as they will make too much money.

But here’s a look at how much the single, 27-year-old, non-smoker who earns $25,000 per year can expect to pay with the subsidies. As you can see, premiums still increase noticeably with but two exceptions (percentages are rounded down and post-ACA premiums are brought down to the closest dollar):


State Senator ACA vote Pre-ACA Post-ACA % increase
Alaska Mark Begich Yes $79 $47 -40%
Arkansas Mark Pryor Yes $31 $82 164%
Iowa OPEN (Tom Harkin) Yes $70 $87 24%
Louisiana Mary Landrieu Yes $39 $72 84%
Michigan OPEN (Carl Levin) Yes $55 $98 78%
Montana OPEN (Max Baucus) Yes $66 $106 60%
New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen Yes $149 $93 -37%
North Carolina Kay Hagan Yes $35 $76 117%
South Dakota OPEN (Tim Johnson) Yes $89 $123 38%
West Virginia OPEN (Jay Rockefeller) Yes $96 $112 16%
Voters may not base their vote on the cost of their insurance premiums. But with the controversy over ObamaCare and the effects its having on the health insurance market, the Democratic senators above or those running to replace may have a hard time trying to explain their constant support of the law.

http://www.unitedliberty.org/article...iums-increases