Category: Health Care

Updated: Obamacare forcing rates up on ACA plans for the Blues 42%

@SoDakCampaigns

Some No written confirmation and few details as of yet, but I’m hearing from very trusted sources that Blue Cross Blue Shield is going to be implementing a staggering 42% rate increase in South Dakota directly as a result of Obamacare!

Stay tuned for more on this!

UPDATE – I had a call from someone involved somewhat with Wellmark, and received some more details. This is not across the board on all individual plans. This applies specifically to plans under the ACA that are sold through the federal exchange in South Dakota.

This means specifically the Obamacare plans are taking a huge jump, which actually comprise less than 4% of the plans sold in the state.

Governor holding firm against expanding Medicaid to able-bodied adults.

@SoDakCampaigns

In the Argus Leader this morning, Governor Dennis Daugaard’s opposition to the expansion of Medicaid is discussed.

Governor Daugaard says things are stuck at the moment, with taxpayers aren’t ready to expand Medicaid to all 48,000 uncovered at this time with many of them being able-bodied adults, and the federal government unwilling to compromise to allow South Dakota to cover a portion of them:

Expanding Medicaid as prescribed under the Affordable Care Act would eventually cost the state an extra $36 million a year. In contrast, he said, the state this year is only seeing an increase in revenues of $49 million, which is money the state needs to increase funding to education and other programs.

Still, Daugaard said he understands there is need among the poorest adults for expanded medical coverage under Medicaid.

“I’m open to considering their lot,” he said. “But the president has said it’s all or nothing. And 48,000 people is too big of a bite, in my estimation.”

Read it all here in the Argus Leader.