Cassidy Condemns Administration Release of Inaccurate Premiums
Press Release
Today, Congressman Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) condemns the administration's release of inaccurate information about premiums.
The HHS numbers rely on what Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton called "creative arithmetic" to avoid the real facts about rate increases. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana published clear information regarding rate increases specifically for Louisiana and Avik Roy in Forbes further evidences the inaccuracy of the HHS data nationwide.
"I fear that HHS is twisting the data to try and convince Americans that health care costs aren't going up. The administration is wrong. They are comparing projected premiums to a manipulated projection not reality. Unlike Congress, Louisiana families are not exempt. According to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana a young family, trying to start their lives, could face premium increases of 211%. The administration attempts to spin Obamacare aren't going to mean very much when families see their health care premiums sky-rocket next year." -- Congressman Bill Cassidy M.D.
Background information:
· Rather than comparing projected premiums to what Americans are currently paying, HHS compares next year's rates to a manipulated projection that looks nothing like Americans' current health bills. Why isn't HHS comparing premiums to what people pay today?
· The HHS report relies on creative arithmetic to avoid the fact that Obamacare is causing premiums to skyrocket. It compares 2014 rates to what CBO predicted they would be in 2016 after factoring in new mandates and requirements.
· Premiums will not be lower than they are today, HHS is just claiming they are 16 percent lower than what CBO predicted they would be in TWO YEARS.
· Stories like those of the Mangiones family in Kentucky whose premiums are tripling next year are the norm, not the exception. Look no further than Wisconsin (125 percent), Georgia (198 percent), Ohio (88 percent), and Indiana (72 percent).
· Energy and Commerce has chronicled that the law's rate shock will increase premiums by as much as 400 percent.
Source