Blue Cross Blue Shield exec blames Republican obstruction of Obamacare for rising premiums

by Wagatwe Wanjuki

Community

(This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday, May. 23, 2018 Wednesday, May. 23, 2018 at 1:26:46pm PDT

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 23: U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (L) (R-WI) walks with OMB Director Mick Mulvaney (R) to a meeting of the House Republican caucus at the U.S. Capitol March 23, 2017 in Washington, DC. Ryan and House GOP leaders postponed a vote on the American Health Care Act after it became apparent they did not have enough votes to pass the legislation that would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

America’s already expensive out-of-pocket healthcare costs will only get higher next year and we have the Republican’s obstructionism to undermine Obamacare to thank, according to Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Vice President Kris Haltmeyer.

The Hill reports that at a press briefing, Haltmeyer predicts that premiums will go up in 2019 and we have the Republican-led legislature to thank.

He also cited lawmakers’ failure to pass a bill aimed at shoring up the market, which fell apart earlier this year amid a partisan dispute over abortion restrictions.

“With the repeal of the individual mandate and the failure of Congress to enact stabilization legislation, we are expecting premiums to go up substantially,” Haltmeyer said at a briefing for reporters.

Since Republicans failed to repeal Obamacare, they have set their sights on sabotaging the historic program. It looks like they are succeeding—even at a grave cost to Americans.