Obamacare Would Reportedly Increase Some Health Care Costs by 198% in This State -- and Officials Want a 30-Day Implementation Delay

Because some health care rates under President Barack Obama's landmark health care law would be as much as 198 percent higher than current in-state plans, Georgia's Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens issued an emergency request to delay the start of Obamacare by an extra 30 days, according to the Savannah Morning News.

The rest of the country is slated to start the new health exchanges on Oct. 1, but Hudgens asked Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for the extra time to look at health plans submitted by seven insurance companies that wish to do business in the state, the Morning News reported.

“President Obama promised Americans that Obamacare would lower rates, but here in Georgia insurance companies are demanding massive rate increases up to 198 percent for some individuals," Hudgens said. “There’s just tons of unanswered questions."

Two girls pose for a picture with a cardboard cut-out of U.S. President Barack Obama in a tent defending Obamacare at a street fair in Charlotte, N.C. (Getty Images)

Sebelius’ office sent reporters a two-line statement late Tuesday afternoon saying she is reviewing Hudgens’ request, the Morning News said.

As the decision is being considered, two of the seven companies have dropped out, Hudgens announced Wednesday, according to the Augusta Chronicle.

Hudgens said he received reports Monday of independent actuaries hired to review premiums requested by the insurance companies wanting to offer individual health plans through the state’s exchange; one company's premium was 11 percent higher than what's necessary to comply with Obamacare—but according to Hudgens, he can't find the rates excessive unless Sebelius okays him to do so, the Morning News reported.

The highest-ranking Georgia Senate member, President Pro Tempore David Shafer (R-Duluth) supports Hudgens, the Morning News reported.

“Notwithstanding the president’s many assurances to the contrary, I have always suspected that Obamacare would lead to higher health insurance rates,” Shafer said. “But the rate increases pending before the Georgia Insurance Department are absolutely staggering in magnitude.”

(H/T: Weasel Zippers)

--

[related]