The leader of the advocacy group Charlottesville for Reasonable Health Insurance is saying today that it warned Gov. Ralph Northam that the dramatic healthcare premium increases signaled this week were on the horizon.
“We warned Northam’s office that the situation in Charlottesville in 2018 was setting a dangerous precedent – that by letting this year’s rates stand, the Bureau of Insurance has sent a message that major premium increases will never be challenged,” organizer Sara Stovall said. “If Gov. Northam is in favor of taking ‘commonsense, proactive actions right now that will help ameliorate these rate increases’ we ask that he make a strong push towards tightening state regulations on insurance companies.”
Charlottesville and surrounding counties (Albemarle, Green, Fluvanna) have the most expensive healthcare premiums in the nation in 2018, 23 percent higher than the next most expensive market. Rates more than tripled for consumers buying coverage on the ACA Individual Exchange, making comprehensive insurance unaffordable for people who do not qualify for subsidy assistance.
A typical family of four is being charged $3,000 per month for high-deductible plans.
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