Premiums Have Increased
Liberal Democrat Martin Heinrich Claimed ObamaCare Would Lower Premiums

When liberal U.S. Congressman Martin Heinrich voted for President Barack Obama’s job-killing healthcare law, he specifically promised the legislation would lower premiums, but nearly two years later families are now paying more money for their health insurance. 

FactCheck.org has found that ObamaCare has made healthcare slightly less affordable and it’s causing premiums to go up – not down, as Heinrich and his fellow Democrats have claimed it would. 

Additionally, the Kaiser Family Foundation found that in 2011 the average healthcare premium climbed from $13,770 to $15,073, which amounts to a 9 percent increase.

As the New York Times reports: 

“The cost of health insurance for many Americans this year climbed more sharply than in previous years, outstripping any growth in workers’ wages and adding more uncertainty about the pace of rising medical costs.   A new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit research group that tracks employer-sponsored health insurance on a yearly basis, shows that the average annual premium for family coverage through an employer reached $15,073 in 2011, an increase of 9 percent over the previous year.” (Reed Abelson, “U.S. Health Insurance Cost Rises Sharply, Study Finds,” The New York Times , 9/27/11)

“Martin Heinrich’s decision to make Barack Obama’s healthcare bill the law of land has increased the average healthcare premium by $1,300,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox.  “With so many New Mexicans already suffering from the failed economic and energy policies of liberal Democrat Martin Heinrich, this is just another costly burden that Heinrich has placed on New Mexico.” 

BACKGROUND …. 

Martin Heinrich Promised That Government-Run Healthcare Would Lower Premiums

Heinrich Said “This Was A Truly Historic Vote,” Adding That The Legislation Would Lower Costs And Bring “Peace Of Mind” To Business Owners. “This was a truly historic vote.  We are now as close as we have ever been to providing quality health care to all Americans and to reforming our broken health insurance system,” said Rep. Heinrich. “The Affordable Health Care for America Act represents a uniquely American solution to our nation’s health insurance crisis. The legislation will bring peace of mind to New Mexico’s working families, seniors, and small business owners by guaranteeing stability, lowering costs, improving quality, and providing a greater choice of plans.” (Congressman Martin Heinrich, “Heinrich Votes To Pass Historic Legislation For Affordable Health Care And Security For New Mexicans,” Press Release, 11/8/09)

But Since ObamaCare Has Passed Healthcare Premiums Have Skyrocketed

2011: “The health-insurance premiums employers pay rose sharply this year, with the average annual cost of family coverage passing the $15,000 mark for the first time, according to a major survey.” (“Employer Health Premiums Rise Sharply,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/27/11)

• “The average annual family premium for 2011 was $15,073, up from $13,770 last year.” (“Employer Health Premiums Rise Sharply,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/27/11) 

• “Still, with rising costs, workers paid more, up an average of $132 a year for family coverage. Since 1999, the dollar amount workers contribute toward premiums nationally has grown 168 percent, while their wages have grown by 50 percent, according to the survey.” (“Cost Of Employer Insurance Plans Surge In 2011,” Kaiser Health News , 9/27/11) 

• “The cost of health insurance for many Americans this year climbed more sharply than in previous years, outstripping any growth in workers’ wages and adding more uncertainty about the pace of rising medical costs.” (“U.S. Health Insurance Cost Rises Sharply, Study Finds,” The New York Times , 9/27/11) 

“The 9% average increase in family premiums for 2011, reported in an annual poll of employers performed by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust, comes despite a continued trend toward more limited use of medical services in the U.S. Last year, family premiums rose just 3%, the survey found.” (“Employer Health Premiums Rise Sharply,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/27/11)