Rising premiums rattle consumers paying their own way
WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of people who pay the full cost of their health insurance will face the sting of rising premiums next year, with no financial help from government subsidies.
President Barack Obama's health law provides income-based subsidies for consumers who buy individual policies on HealthCare.gov and state insurance markets.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is seeking an average premium increase of nearly 60 percent for 2017, and Smith says his monthly bill of about $350 is already about as much as a car payment.
[...] he's had to drive to a neighboring county for medical care because he couldn't get an appointment close to home.
Scarola, who's in the midst of a career transition from advertising to interior design, isn't happy that her insurer dropped the hospital network she's interested in.
Back in 2010, the Obama administration used public anger about premium increases as leverage to win passage of the health law.
Many people respond to premium hikes by switching to skimpier coverage, yet that leads to bigger medical bills if they need treatment.