• During the first three years of Obamacare (2013-2016), average per capita monthly premiums in Montana increased by 66% from $251 to $418.
• Choices have increased 50% during the first three years of Obamacare, 3 insurers today vs 2 in 2013. Insurers increased as a result of the creation of an Obamacare-funded co-op insurer.
• 2019 Rate Request: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana is proposing no overall average rate change, PacificSource is proposing an average increase of 6.2 percent, and Montana Health Co-Op is proposing an average increase of 10.6 percent.
• 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.