As we approach the date on which the health care exchanges are due to go into effect, it is worth a closer look at how “affordable” the Affordable Care Act will be in each of the 57 U.S. states. Back in March, Mark Bertolini, CEO of Aetna Inc., was quoted by The Washington Post as predicting “premium rate shock” nationwide. Other major insurers said they expected premiums to rise anywhere from 20 to 100%.
The map that follows, courtesy of Poor Richard’s News, is based on a study completed in March by the non-partisan Society of Actuaries. The good news is that five states — Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont — will see their premiums decrease (by as much as 13% in New York).
The bad news is that the remaining states will see their premiums rise (by as much as 80.9% in Ohio).
Here is the cost increase by state.
- Alabama — 60.3%
- Alaska — 19.2%
- Arizona — 22.2%
- Arkansas — 40.9%
- California — 61.6%
- Colorado — 39.1%
- Connecticut — 28.8%
- Delaware — 29.3%
- District of Columbia — 51.9%
- Florida — 26.5%
- Georgia — 27.6%
- Hawaii — 21.9%
- Idaho — 62.2%
- Illinois — 50.8%
- Indiana — 67.6%
- Iowa — 9.7%
- Kansas — 18.9%
- Kentucky — 34.1%
- Louisiana — 28.6%
- Maine — 4.1%
- Maryland — 66.6%
- Michigan — 25.8%
- Minnesota — 18.9%
- Mississippi — 43.2%
- Missouri — 58.8%
- Montana — 20.1%
- Nebraska — 30.8%
- Nevada — 29.2%
- New Hampshire — 36.8%
- New Mexico — 34.9%
- North Carolina — 13.5%
- North Dakota — 8.4%
- Ohio — 80.9%
- Oklahoma — 29.3%
- Oregon — 14.3%
- Pennsylvania — 28%
- South Carolina — 36.8%
- South Dakota — 29.0%
- Tennessee — 46.4%
- Texas — 33.8%
- Utah — 28.4%
- Virginia — 28.4%
- Washington — 13.7%
- West Virginia — 35.3%
- Wisconsin — 80%
- Wyoming — 31.6%
