OLYMPIA – Following today’s announcements from Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler and the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, released the following statement:
“Thanks to the work of Insurance Commissioner Kreidler and Health Benefit Exchange CEO Pam MacEwan, Washington has proven once again that full state implementation of the Affordable Care Act has kept us on the cutting edge of healthcare reform and consumer protection. Maintaining a healthy market in our state has kept premium increases to an average of just 8 percent on our Washington Healthplanfinder, with the most popular Silver plans at less than 4 percent premium hikes.
“Nationwide, states are facing average rate hikes of nearly 25 percent, while in Washington, average rate increases for 2017 will be less than a third of the national average. And our state’s exchange also has a very healthy individual marketplace of numerous competing health plans.
“This is on the back of news that statewide uninsured rates hit a record low seven percent in 2015, meaning more than 2.4 million Washingtonians have signed up for health insurance coverage in the three years of ACA implementation.
“Although much work remains ahead to keep insurance rates low, we owe commendation to those who have protected our state from the nationwide trends.”
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For Interviews: Sen. Karen Keiser, 360-786-7664
For Information: Aaron T. Sherman, Communications Specialist, 360-786-7853
