Rep. Walorski Issues Statement on Anthem and MDwise Exiting Indiana Obamacare Exchange

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., issued the following following statement after Anthem and MDwise announced they will withdraw from Indiana's Obamacare marketplace in 2018:

"This is the latest sign of Obamacare's failure to ensure Hoosiers have access to quality, affordable health care.

"Now even more Hoosiers, already facing higher costs and fewer options, will be forced to look for new plans and new doctors.

"Obamacare is collapsing, and I am committed to replacing it with a patient-centered system that lowers costs, increases choices, and provides real protections."

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BACKGROUND

Premiums for individual insurance plans in Indiana have risen 74 percent (https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2017/05/23/hhs-report-average-health-insurance-premiums-doubled-2013.html) under Obamacare, according a recent report from the Department of Health and Human Services. Four of the eight insurers on Indiana's exchange withdrew (http://www.indystar.com/story/money/2016/11/04/some-obamacare-premiums-drop-indiana-but-theres-catch/92888634/) this year, and premiums increased by an average of 18 percent for all but one of the remaining options.

Walorski voted for the American Health Care Act (http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/opinion/viewpoint/viewpoint-a-step-toward-patient-centered-health-care/article_8d917b83-f530-5706-96a6-3aaea5022b51.html) (H.R. 1628), which would repeal and replace Obamacare, protect patients with pre-existing conditions, ensure access to quality, affordable health care, and give states flexibility to implement innovative reforms. The legislation passed (http://walorski.house.gov/votes-repeal-replace-obamacare/) the House in May and is now under consideration in the Senate.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.