Manchin seeking data on health care premium rates

July 30--U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has asked West Virginia health care providers for information on how they are determining their rate premiums for 2019.

Specifically, Manchin has asked CareSource and Highmark if efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, were taken into consideration when deciding premium rates.

"Last year, West Virginians were hit with double digit rate increases, increasing West Virginians' premiums by $71 per month," Manchin said in the letter. "In December, Congressional Republicans passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which, among other things, repealed a fundamental healthcare provision without any replacement."

He said the Congressional Budget Office estimated this change will increase the number of uninsured Americans by 13 million and raise health insurance premiums by 10 percent.

"In West Virginia alone, premiums are projected to increase by $1,400 by the end of the year... Today, I am seeking your help in better understanding the factors driving these cost increases."

In June, Manchin said he encouraged West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Allan McVey to take action to prevent health care costs from skyrocketing this fall, but Manchin is still awaiting his response.

Wendy Holdren

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