Insurers Raise Rates Steeply, Thwarting ACA’s Intent

Health insurers in many states are continuing to increase premiums at double-digit rates despite the intentions of the Affordable Care Act, The New York Times reported. Many of the rate increases significantly outstrip the overall rise in health care costs, which has slowed in recent years. The largest hikes are coming in states where regulators lack the authority to block rate increases they deem excessive. Dave Jones, a California insurance regulator, told The Times that the absence of a provision in the ACA giving regulators in all states the authority to block rate increases creates a “huge loophole.”