Health Care Choices and Premiums Under Obamacare: Numbers By State

Apr 20th, 2020 5 min read

Heritage releases new state by state numbers on health care choices and premiums under Obamacare.

Health care remains a top concern of Americans. Since Obamacare took effect, health insurance premiums surged while choices dropped because of costly rules and regulations—leaving many Americans paying more but getting less.

Average monthly premiums more than doubled from 2013 to 2018. In 2013, the national average premium paid in the individual (non-group) market was $244 (per member, per month). By 2018, the national average premium skyrocketed to $550 (per member, per month).

Half as many insurers offered health plans in 2019 than before Obamacare. In 2013, there were 395 insurers offering coverage in the individual market at the state level. In 2019, there are only 202 insurers offering coverage through the ACA exchanges at the state level, a 49 percent decrease.

How can Congress help lower costs and improve choices?

For the most part, premiums are up and choices are down across the country. However, a growing number of states are taking advantage of some limited federal regulatory relief and it is making a difference. Estimates show that even more can be accomplished if Congress gives states the flexibility and resources to lower costs, improve choices and protect the most vulnerable.

The best way to provide relief for struggling Americans is enact solutions that put patients and doctors—not federal bureaucrats—in charge of health care decisions and dollars. The Health Care Choices Proposal does just that and has the support of over 100 national, state and grassroots leaders.