Few will pay more under health care law

[sinkingfeeling]

2. So why do you think there's a premium rebate worth $1.1 Billion going on?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/16/health-care-reform-rebate_n_1676964.html

When Laird Le found a check for $70.02 in the mail, he wasn't quite sure why. Turns out, he's one of the estimated 13 million Americans that will receive a rebate on their health insurance premiums as a result of the health care reform law recently upheld by the Supreme Court.



http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2011/05/ratereview05192011a.html

Fighting Unreasonable Health Insurance Premium Increases
Affordable Care Act Ensures that Large Premium Hikes Receive Close Scrutiny

Health insurance premiums have risen rapidly, straining the pocketbooks of American families and businesses for more than a decade. Since 1999, the cost of coverage for a family of four has climbed 131 percent.[1] These increases have forced families and employers to spend more money, often for less coverage. Many times, insurance companies have been able to raise rates without explaining their actions to regulators or the public or justifying the reasons for their high premiums. In most cases, consumers receive little or no information about proposed premium increases, andaren’t told why companies want to raise rates.

The Affordable Care Act brings an unprecedented level of scrutiny and transparency to health insurance rate increases. The Act ensures that, in any State, large proposed increases will be evaluated by experts to make sure they are based on reasonable cost assumptions and solid evidence. This analysis is expected to help moderate premium hikes and provide those who buy insurance with greater value for their premium dollar. Additionally, insurance companies must provide easy to understand information to their customers about their reasons for significant rate increases, as well as publicly justify and post on their website any unreasonable rate increases. These steps will allow consumers to know why they are paying the rates that they are.

On May 19, 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), working in partnership with States, issued a final regulation to implement this important consumer protection from the Affordable Care Act.