AFP: Oklahomans Deserve ObamaCare Exemption as Prices Soar
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1, 2013
AFP: Oklahomans Deserve ObamaCare Exemption as Prices Soar
Subsidies or not, Oklahomans will still pay extra cost as taxpayers, says state director Ball
OKLAHOMA CITY — Today, October 1, brings the start of open enrollment on the ObamaCare insurance exchanges around the country, and Americans for Prosperity is sounding the alarm as prices begin to soar in Oklahoma. Hundreds of thousands of grassroots activists around the country have signed the group’s Exempt Me, Too! petition, asking the President for the same special treatment better-connected groups have received.
The director of Americans for Prosperity’s Oklahoma chapter, Matt Ball, released the following statement marking the unpleasant October 1 milestone:
“Well, it’s October 1, and as expected, insurance premiums are headed skyward for individual policies. When Oklahomans log onto the ObamaCare exchanges, they’ll be facing premium hikes of 53 percent in some cases. At the same time, they are facing reduced health care options and lower quality of care. This isn’t health insurance reform; it’s a disaster. While sympathizers with this administration tell us that federal subsidies will take care of the exorbitant costs, they seem to forget where that money comes from: all of us, the taxpayers! Whether or not it’s reflected on our insurance bill, we’re all paying for this train wreck of a law.”
A 40-year old man can expect to see 53 percent higher premiums, on average; a woman of the same age will face a roughly 17 percent increase in costs before subsidies are calculated [Forbes, 9/25/13]. The New York Times recently reported that many insurers are significantly limiting the choices of doctors and hospitals available to consumers as a cost-saving measure due to the new law.
“When Oklahoma taxpayers see the prices they’ll be charged for their coverage, I expect more of them than ever to begin asking where their ObamaCare exemption is. It’s time the President do us all a favor and exempt the country from this law, not just well-connected groups and allies.”
Hundreds of thousands of Americans for Prosperity’s grassroots activists have already signed the Exempt Me, Too! petition at JustExempt.me, declaring that it’s time for the President to give all Americans an exemption from ObamaCare.
For further information or an interview, please contact Matt Ball at MBall@afphq.org or (405) 315-3668.
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen-leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and intrusiveness of government is the best way to promote individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org
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