Lehigh Valley premiums will jump if ACA penalty is repealed, health officials say
Without a penalty for the uninsured, young and healthy people likely would drop their insurance plans, leading insurers to raise prices or leave the marketplace.
The change would reduce the federal deficit by about
In
Nearly 23,000
Their rates will be locked in for the year but could sharply rise when enrollment opens next year if
While the
"Anytime something causes fear or confusion, people tend to stay home or freeze," said
Early data show the national fight over the health care law has not slowed enrollment. From
If the penalty is repealed, the
"We're focused on this year, with 11 days left on open enrollment," Ruman said Monday.
On Saturday, the
The proposal still needs to be reconciled with a similar tax bill passed by the
Republican
Rep.
Geisinger and Capital BlueCross declined to comment on the repeal. Highmark shared a statement by
"The purpose of the individual mandate is to help achieve this balance among those enrolled in coverage, and if removed, there must be a workable substitute to avoid further destabilization of the market," Serota said.
Under the
Since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law,
Still, some regions of
Even without a mandate, people with heavily subsidized plans likely will stay in the marketplace, health experts said. As prices go up due to funding changes or rising medical costs, subsidies -- which 80 percent of Pennsylvanians receive for Obamacare plans -- typically increase to match.
"I'm getting older, and things tend to happen as we age," she said.
Morning Call reporter
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VALLEY MARKETPLACE
The figures here show how many residents in
2017: 22,700
2016: 23,200
2015: 25,100
Source:
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------
TO SIGN UP
To get coverage under the Affordable Care Act or for assistance:
Main government site, healthcare.gov
The Pennsylvania Health Access Network, 877-570-3642.
Neighborhood Health Centers of the
Insurance providers
------
Is
Obamacare still around? Yes. Will I pay more for my insurance next year? Maybe not.
These are among the most common questions
Is Obamacare still around? Yes. Will I pay more for my insurance next year? Maybe not.
These are among the most common questions
(
610-820-6745
___
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