In the wake of an announcement by health insurance companies that premiums are increasing significantly for health plans under Obamacare, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) discussed his ongoing concerns with the president’s health care law on Monday.
“Today’s announcements regarding the proposed rate filings are further evidence of how the president’s health care law is failing to lower health care costs,” Burr said. “Despite being promised that Obamacare would lower premiums, it is doing the exact opposite.”
Among Burr’s long list of concerns about Obamacare is the issue of Essential Health Benefits (EHB) coverage. Under Obamacare, individuals and the small group market were mandated, beginning in 2014, to enroll in a health insurance plan that covers no less than 10 general categories of EHBs. The EHB mandate has been identified as the top reason insurance premiums are going up for millions of Americans, as these expanded benefits must be paid for by an increase in revenue.
To combat the EHB mandate, U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) recently introduced the Health Insurance Freedom Act of 2015, legislation that would give individuals and businesses more choice by permitting them to opt out of EHB coverages that they do not want or need.
“These skyrocketing premiums are a major blow to North Carolina’s working families,” Burr said. “We must look to replace Obamacare with common-sense reforms that will increase affordability, expand access to quality coverage and care, and put decision-making power back into the hands of North Carolinians.”