Citing reports that 85 percent of Missouri counties could have only one Obamacare marketplace insurer next year, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) on Friday called the situation “a disaster” that is getting worse.
A Kaiser Family Foundation report found that 85 percent of counties in Missouri could have only one marketplace insurer next year, compared to two percent of counties in 2016.
“Obamacare has been a disaster for Missourians, and it’s about to get even worse,” Blunt said. “Premiums are set to increase by double digits in some areas, deductibles are sky high, and the vast majority of our state could have only one Obamacare exchange option next year. If families can’t afford that option and are forced to go without insurance, they’ll face up to a $2,085 penalty under the law.”
Last year, Blunt voted to repeal Obamacare and promoted solutions to lower costs and improve access to healthcare by expanding access to healthcare savings accounts, allowing small businesses to pool insurance options, enacting medical liability reform and allowing consumers to purchase health insurance across state lines.
“The president repeatedly promised that his health care law would provide more choices, ‘bend the cost curve,’ and allow Americans to keep the plans they liked and could afford,” Blunt said. “He failed to live up to those promises, and families are paying the price. I opposed this law from the beginning, and will continue fighting for smarter solutions that will expand access to affordable health care options for all Missourians.”