28
Jul
2014
Forbes analysis shows young men, elderly women hit hardest; average 64 year old Galena woman paying $2,688 more in health insurance premiums annually. Cheri Bustos offers no solutions, no condolences
EAST MOLINE, IL?Congresswoman and Obamacare-apologist Cheri Bustos (D-East Moline) has so far refused to address the specific impact President Obama's health care law has had on her constituents, but that may be more difficult as new reports surface illustrating Obamacare's negative impact on health care consumers inside the Illinois 17th District.According to a new analysis by Forbes, the Affordable Care Act is proving to be completely unaffordable. Obamacare has increased individual-market health insurance premiums by an average of 41 percent nationally. The Forbes study looked at 3,137 counties across the country?including all 14 counties in the Illinois 17th District?to determine Obamacare's impact on individuals.
The Forbes study looked at six cohorts: men ages 27, 40, and 64, and women ages 27, 40, and 64. Five of the six groups saw premium increases across the board in all 14 counties in the Illinois 17th District, while the remaining group?40 year old women?saw mixed results, with six counties seeing marginally cheaper premiums while the other eight counties saw large increases.
The Bobby Schilling for Congress campaign put together a document that shows the premium increases for each cohort in each county. That document is attached.
Obamacare's Impact on IL-17 By The Numbers:
- Average individual health insurance premiums increased $768/annually
- Jo Daviess, Carroll, and Stephenson Counties were hit the hardest?these counties saw an average individual health insurance premium increase of $1,356/annually.
- Elderly women were absolutely crushed?the average 64 year old women in all 14 counties saw at least a $1,000 premium increase, with 64 year old women seeing a $2,688 premium increase in Jo Daviess, Carroll, and Stephenson Counties, a $2,136 premium increase in Knox and Fulton Counties, and a $1,956 premium increase in Winnebago County.
- This study only looked at individual plans. Family plans saw even larger increases, as Forbes reported last year?the average family of four will see annual health care spending increase by $7,450.
Bobby Schilling (R-Colona), candidate for Congress in the Illinois 17th District, said that he's focused on health care solutions.
"We need real health care reform that lowers costs for all Americans. Obamacare doesn't do that, and the Forbes analysis shows that. Obamacare is hurting everyone in our district?young people, elderly people, and middle class families. It's time to stop with the politics and start working to fix our broken health care system.
"I've proposed five concrete solutions to help reform health care, increase access to care, and lower costs. I've stood up, put myself out there, and led on this issue, as well as countless others. Where is my opponent? Where does she stand? Why won't Cheri Bustos answer to her constituents who can't afford to pay for their health insurance premiums? We need to roll our sleeves up, work together, and do everything we can to alleviate the financial pain Obamacare has caused people in our district."
Jon Schweppe, communications director at Bobby Schilling for Congress, said that Congresswoman Bustos needs to answer some questions.
"What has Congresswoman Cheri Bustos done to help struggling seniors with their health care costs? Where are her solutions? Why is she not taking a stand? Why is she defending what Obamacare has done to thousands of hard-working folks in her district? Will she work to pass real health care reform that helps people, or will she continue to stay to the Nancy Pelosi-Barack Obama party line, as she has on every other issue during her time in office? Only time will tell.
"But one thing is clear: Obamacare is unequivocally devastating people in the Illinois 17th District, and Cheri Bustos doesn't seem to care. It's shameful that Cheri Bustos refuses to empathize with her struggling constituents."
Bobby Schilling will be available throughout the day to discuss health care policy and how Obamacare's rate increases are impacting the Illinois 17th District. To schedule an interview contact Jon Schweppe at 309-749-7009.
Bobby Schilling was born and raised in Rock Island, Illinois. He has been married to his wife, Christie for 28 years and together they have 10 children. Schilling represented the Illinois 17th District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011-2012, serving on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Agriculture Committee, and the House Small Business Committee. Schilling is seeking another term and is running against incumbent liberal Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.
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