Cameron Rasmusson
Reader Staff
Health care plans through the Idaho exchange program are slated for substantial rate hikes starting next year.
On average, rates will go up 38 percent, with SelectHealth of Idaho seeking the sharpest spike at 44 percent and Montana Health Cooperative proposing the lowest at 25 percent. Meanwhile, rates for silver plans on the Idaho health exchange, the most popular plans for their mid-tier coverage, will increase on average 50 percent. The highest individual increase comes form PacificSource Health Plans, which listed a silver plan increase of 81 percent.
“I am deeply disappointed and frustrated to share these rates,” said Idaho Department of Insurance Director Dean Cameron in a press release. “I understand how difficult it will be for Idahoans to afford reasonable coverage, especially those without a subsidy.”
According to Cameron, uncertainty from the federal government is the cause of the rate spikes. In particular, President Donald Trump’s overtures toward slashing cost-sharing reduction payments have contributed to the uncertainty. Congressional inaction on an Obamacare replacement plan has also exacerbated the situation, with insurance companies unsure how much cost they will ultimately bear.
Cameron asks Congress to address three key issues at the root of the rate increases: fund or repeal the cost-sharing reduction mechanism, fund high-risk reinsurance pools and allow true consumer choice of plans either on or off the exchange.
“The proposed rate increases demonstrate the need for changes to the federal law. Idaho’s congressional delegation has been responsive and responsible, but we must help them deliver the message to their colleagues,” said Cameron.
While we have you ...
... if you appreciate that access to the news, opinion, humor, entertainment and cultural reporting in the Sandpoint Reader is freely available in our print newspaper as well as here on our website, we have a favor to ask. The Reader is locally owned and free of the large corporate, big-money influence that affects so much of the media today. We're supported entirely by our valued advertisers and readers. We're committed to continued free access to our paper and our website here with NO PAYWALL - period. But of course, it does cost money to produce the Reader. If you're a reader who appreciates the value of an independent, local news source, we hope you'll consider a voluntary contribution. You can help support the Reader for as little as $1.
You can contribute at either Paypal or Patreon.
Contribute at Patreon Contribute at Paypal
Coming up this week! Don’t miss out on Live performances of music & theater, fundraising, and more! See the full list of events in the 
