- *"‘It’s good law. We have more people that have insurance because of it. Is it perfect? No,’ she said. ‘So where there are problems with it, and how we can fix it, and move it and improve it for everyone, that’s where it starts for me. That’s the starting point.’” (Jeff Gillan, “Cortez Masto Talks Bipartisanship, Issues In Race For Reid’s Seat,” KSNV, 4/26/16)
Well, that ‘good law’ continues to be a big problem for ratepayers. The Associated Press reported this morning that state regulators are expecting a wave of helath insurance premium increases across the country as a result of Obamacare:
- *“Expect insurers to seek significant premium increases under President Barack Obama’s health care law, in a wave of state-level requests rippling across the country ahead of the political conventions this summer. Insurers say the law’s coverage has been a financial drain for many of them, and they’re setting the stage for 2017 hikes that in some cases could reach well into the double digits.” (Ricardo Alonzo-Zaldivar and Tom Murphy, “Significant Premium Hikes Expected Under Obama Health Law,” Associated Press, 4/28/16)
Today’s news is hardly the first piece of evidence that Obamacare is bad for Nevada families. Just before Cortez Masto took a stand on the law last summer, Nevada policy holders were slammed with another rate hike – at least, the ones who were able to keep their plans after a local Obamacare insurer failed.
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“Nevada’s health insurance exchange is losing its only locally based carrier. Nevada Health CO-OP, a nonprofit insurer created by the Affordable Care Act and federally funded to offer health coverage through the Nevada Health Link marketplace, said Wednesday that it cannot make enough money to stay in business after Jan. 1…Observers say the co-op, as idealistic as its origins were, could not survive market realities amid early troubles with doctor networks, reimbursements, off-exchange coverage and administrative costs. The co-op’s failure is something of a blow to the state’s competitive landscape, and it’s unclear if it can repay $65.9 million in federal loans it received for its 2012 launch.” (Jennifer Robison, “Millions In The Red, A Nevada Obamacare Insurer Has Failed,” Las Vegas Review Journal, 8/26/15)
- *"The Nevada Division of Insurance said Wednesday that it has approved 2016 health insurance rates for individual and small-group coverage. For small businesses and their employees, premiums will rise an average of 5 percent, the division said. Consumers who buy a plan through the state’s Nevada Health Link insurance exchange will see an average premium gain of 8.7 percent." (Jennifer Robison, “Nevadans To See Premium Increases In 2016 Health Insurance Rates,” Las Vegas Review Journal, 9/2/15)
Cortez Masto’s ‘good law’ seems to keep piling bad consequences on Nevada families. Unfortunately, that’s to be expected when your only priority is protecting Harry Reid’s legacy and your party’s reckless agenda.