U.S. medical insurance premiums surged by more than 20% despite the trend

U.S. medical insurance premiums jumped by more than 20% despite the crime The New York Times reported that medical insurance companies in various states across the country have asked for increases in insurance premiums, with some premiums increasing by more than 20%...

The New York Times reported that medical insurance companies in various states across the country are demanding increases in insurance premiums, with some premiums increasing by more than 20%. One of the main purposes of the health insurance law that the Obama administration is preparing to introduce is to curb the rapid rise in medical insurance premiums. Among them, those most affected are small and medium-sized enterprises, people who do not have employer-provided medical insurance and who must pay for medical insurance at their own expense. For those with employer health insurance, the cost will only increase by about 4%. In California, Aetna is asking for a 22% premium increase, Anthem Blue Cross is asking for a 26% increase, and Blue Shield of California is asking for a 20% increase. In states such as Florida and Ohio, insurance companies have increased prices for some policyholders by at least 20%, resulting in hundreds of dollars more in monthly premiums. The medical insurance law stipulates that if a medical insurance company's premium price increase exceeds 10%, it must be approved by the competent government department. Not only do premiums vary significantly from state to state, but their approval powers also vary greatly. New York and other 37 state governments have some power to veto price increases or reduce excessive premiums, but government departments in other states such as California do not have this power. New York State recently stipulated that premium increases for individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises in 2013 cannot exceed 10%, but California cannot refuse insurance companies' requests to increase premiums. Jones, the critical director of the California Insurance Department, believes that if the federal government does not provide that state governments have the right to veto excessive premium increases, some insurance companies can still increase prices arbitrarily before the health insurance law takes effect. Jones said: "The health insurance industry is also a business, and the health insurance law has huge loopholes." California insurance companies said that if medical costs continue to rise, they can only increase prices.