Gov. Hutchinson Applauds Low Health Insurance Rate Requests

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., July 26 -- Gov. Asa Hutchinson, R-Ark., has issued the following news release:

Requests for increases in health insurance rates for 2018 are among the lowest in the United States thanks to broad-based participation in the individual marketplace, largely driven by the Arkansas Works program, Governor Hutchinson said Wednesday in reaction to a report from Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Allen Kerr.

In some states, health insurance carriers are requesting increases of 50 percent to 80 percent, Commissioner Kerr said. In Arkansas, however, the story is different. The unique structure of the Arkansas Works program, as well as carriers' efforts to improve care management, have contributed to a stable individual marketplace with rate increases that are significantly lower than the majority of the nation.

"In the midst of the confusion and heated rhetoric about the future of health care insurance in our country," Governor Hutchinson said, "Arkansas has led the way in health care reform, and the result is that requested increases are much less than we are seeing nationally. We have maintained multiple choices for the consumer that are more balanced and competitive, but we have to continue to slow down the rising health care costs. This news shows progress."

For more information on proposed increases, visit Arkansas Insurance Department's website HERE (https://eu0.proxysite.com/process.php?d=x5B99FmPCRZbidjKR1bdjcEINmkLi2Vhr9b5xyWd8%2BKnEGCzJ2o1SXlZ5hXzgPmID07%2BmCkv1OMTvH7etciG%2ByV1bTquUJKoTIyADC0TLSRglfJ01x12fvlunqtPjzhAlA%3D%3D&b=1).