Premiums Have Increased
Baldwin claimed ObamaCare Would Lower Costs

When liberal U.S. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin voted for President Barack Obama’s job-killing healthcare law she specifically promised the legislation would lower health care costs, 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 Baldwin and her fellow Democrats 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)

“Tammy Baldwin’s decision to make Barack Obama’s healthcare bill the law of the land has increased the average healthcare premium by $1,300,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Lance Trover.  “With so many Wisconsinites already suffering from the failed economic and energy policies of President Obama and Tammy Baldwin, this is just another costly burden Baldwin has placed on the hardworking people of the Badger State.” 

BACKGROUND …. 

Tammy Baldwin Promised That Government-Run Healthcare Would Lower Costs

Baldwin Said ObamaCare Would Make Health Care More Affordable. Baldwin: “I am proud to have helped pass legislation that will bring access to health care to tens of thousands of Wisconsinites. With tonight’s passage of the reconciliation bill, we made the first of many improvements: making health care more affordable, closing the Medicare doughnut hole, and ensuring equity for Wisconsinites. But our work is not done. I will continue to work tirelessly to make sure that quality, affordable health care is accessible to all Americans.” (Rep. Tammy Baldwin, “Statement On House Passage Of Final Health Care Reform Reconciliation Bill,” Press Release, 3/25/10) 

Baldwin Said ObamaCare Would “Reign In Soaring Health Care Costs.” Baldwin: “‘This bill is crucial for our economy,’ said Congresswoman Baldwin. ‘In order to get our economy back on track, creating jobs again, we must bring down our mounting national deficit and lower costs for small businesses. This bill does that. It’s fully paid for, it will rein in soaring health care costs; and it cuts the deficit by $1.3 trillion over the next 20 years, all while expanding and improving health care coverage for millions of American families,’ Baldwin explained. ‘Health care reform will extend coverage to 95% of Americans, 32 million more people, stop insurance company abuses, and lower health care costs for families and small businesses. It’s good for our physical health, and it’s absolutely crucial for our nation’s fiscal health,’ Baldwin said.” (Rep. Tammy Baldwin, “Baldwin Announces Health Care Reform Cuts Deficit By $1.3 Trillion,” Press Release, 3/18/10) 

Baldwin Said ObamaCare Would Make The Health Care System Less Costly. Baldwin: “The bill the House passed today will cover 35 million Americans who currently have no health insurance. This legislation will end the abusive practices of the insurance companies. Your coverage will no longer be denied because of a pre-existing condition. The bill will end the despicable practice of retroactively cancelling your policy at the moment you most need care. It will place caps on out-of-pocket medical expenses so that families dealing with a serious illness will no longer face the prospect of bankruptcy or financial ruin. And it will offer a multitude of other reforms to make our health care system more efficient, less costly, and more effective in preventing illness, restoring, and maintaining good health for you and you family.” (Rep. Tammy Baldwin, “Statement On Passing The Affordable Health Care For America Act,” Press Release, 11/7/09)

 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)