Accountability Autumn: Premium Disaster Watch

Learn More About GOP Premium Hikes Here. 

Millions of families right now are facing the reality of skyrocketing premium costs thanks to the Trump-GOP health care disaster. Insurance companies have already indicated that, because of the GOP budget bill, they plan to raise premiums for 24 million Americans by a median 18 percent. At the same time, Republicans eliminated key tax credits that helped over 20 million Americans afford coverage. Combined, these changes mean millions will see their premiums more than double this fall. But instead of warning families about the huge cost hikes headed their way, the Trump administration is covering them up. As the uninsured rate rises, emergency rooms will become packed with patients who cannot cover the cost of their care without insurance, leading to higher bills and increased premiums for everyone. 

Protect Our Care launched Accountability Autumn, a nationwide campaign calling out Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers for passing the largest health care cuts in history.  The campaign features the following theme weeks:

• September 2-7: Summer from Hell: Republicans Take Heat for Their War on Health Care
• September 8-14: Week of Action: Premium Disaster Watch
• September 15-21: The Trump-GOP Health Care Disaster: Ripping Coverage Away from Millions
• September 22-28: The Trump-GOP Health Care Disaster: Hospitals in Crisis

By the Numbers

• Premiums will skyrocket by an average of 18 percent for over 24.3 million Americans enrolled in affordable ACA Marketplace coverage.
• Around 4.2 million people will become uninsured due to premium tax credits expiring.
• Over 20 million middle-class Americans will pay an average of 75 percent more for their coverage due to the combination of premium increases and loss of tax credits.
• Rural Americans will see premium increases of up to 26 percent more than those in urban areas.
• An estimated 286,000 jobs nationwide will be lost due to lower economic output. 

The open enrollment period (OEP) for Marketplace health care coverage is quickly approaching and this year, costs will skyrocket for millions of families to an average of $765 a month, forcing Americans to pay up to 90 percent more for their health care. Unable to absorb Republican cost hikes, 4.2 million people will lose their health care altogether. While middle-class families face higher prices or lose their coverage, Republicans are giving tax breaks to the ultrarich and big corporations. Marketplace enrollees will only be given a few weeks to months notice to grapple with the impending increased costs of their health care. 

So far, fifteen states have publicly released the price changes for premiums next year and it is painting a very ugly picture thanks to Republican efforts to raise health care costs.

Estimated coverage losses from KFF