More than half of the counties in 34 states using the federal health insurance exchange lack even a bronze plan that's affordable — by the government's own definition — for 40-year-old couples who make just a little too much for financial assistance, a USA TODAY analysis shows.
Many of these counties are in rural, less populous areas that already had limited choice and pricey plans, but many others are heavily populated, such as Bergen County, N.J., and Philadelphia and Milwaukee counties.
More than a third don't offer an affordable plan in the four tiers of coverage known as bronze, silver, gold or platinum for people buying individual plans who are 50 or older and ineligible for subsidies.
Those making more than 400% of the federal poverty limit — $47,780 for an individual or $61,496 for a couple — are ineligible for subsidies to buy insurance.
The USA TODAY analysis looked at whether premiums for the least expensive plan in any of the metal levels was more than 8% of household income. That's similar to the affordability test used by the federal government to determine whether premiums are so expensive consumers aren't required to buy plans under the Affordable Care Act.
The number of people who earn close to the subsidy cutoff and are priced out of affordable coverage may be a small slice of the estimated 4.4 million people buying their own insurance and ineligible for subsidies. But the analysis clearly shows how the sticker shock hitting many in the middle class, including the self-employed and early retirees, isn't just a perception problem. The lack of counties with affordable plans means many middle-class people will either opt out of insurance or pay too much to buy it.
The prices of exchange plans have shocked many shoppers, especially those who had plans canceled because they did not meet the ACA coverage requirements. But experts are not surprised.Read the rest of the story HERE.
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4 comments:
"More than half of the counties in 34 states using the federal health insurance exchange lack even a bronze plan that's affordable — by the government's own definition — for 40-year-old couples who make just a little too much for financial assistance, a USA TODAY analysis shows. "
You're paying more so the Public trough feeders and work phobics pay less or nothing
I don't think part of their plan was millions of folks saying the hell with it...I won't buy any.
Without the OVER BLOATED HIGHER PRICED Plans being purchased by healthy folks...ObamaMESS will collapse from within.
Their only option would be to raise premiums even higher to cover those getting subsidized..losing even more who will refuse to pay.
UN-AFFORDABLE
People who almost could get back to buying health insurance again, now can't because Obama caused medical insurance to become un-affordable.
This might well explain Obama only meeting with HHS once about his so-called 'signature' legislation. He never intended for ObamaCare to happen. Just more nonsense from the Hype WH.
This is my problem. Make too much to qualify for subsidies, yet we still can't afford healthcare. I just cannot afford $1200 per month.
-Martha
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