A Grim New Forecast for Virginia - Monthly Health Care Costs Set to Surge by Hundreds

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (D-VA) are sounding the alarm after reviewing newly-released numbers from the Commonwealth's health insurance marketplace. These numbers paint a grim picture for Virginia, forecasting a dramatic surge in monthly insurance payments for individuals, couples, and families across a wide variety of income levels.

"It is baffling that anyone could look at these numbers and decide that the best course of action is to continue sitting idly by, but that's the choice that Republicans in Congress continue to make every single passing day during this government shutdown," said the senators. "Democrats have put forth legislation that would not only reopen the government, but also preserve the health care tax credits that make it possible for many Virginians to afford their health insurance. Unfortunately, these estimates are only just starting to scratch the surface. Virginians deserve to know exactly how much more they'll have to pay for the same health insurance they currently receive, and they should know as soon as possible. If Republicans can get behind tax cuts for billionaires, they should find a way to support modest health care tax credits for working families before open enrollment starts on November 1."

As forecasted by Virginia's Health Benefit Exchange…

• A young family of four with an income of $96,450 to $160,000 could see their monthly premiums increase by as much as $349 per month,bringing their new total monthly premium to $1,522.96 per month.
• A 60-year-old couple with an income of $63,450 to $105,750 could see their monthly premiums increase by as much as $1,076 per month, bringing their new total monthly premium to $2,023.16 per month.
• A 45-year-old person with an income of $31,300 to $62,600 could see their monthly premiums increase by as much as $155 per month,bringing their new total monthly premium to $372.20 per month.

Despite holding majorities in both chambers of Congress and the White House, Republicans failed to secure a funding deal to keep the government open ahead of the September 30 deadline. With the government now closed, Sens. Warner and Kaine continue to push to reopen the government and prevent the impending expiration of essential health care tax credits that many American families rely on. The effort to prevent health care premiums from skyrocketing comes just months after Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans slashed Medicaid in order to offset the cost of billionaire tax cuts in the Republican budget law.

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