Sen. Hatch questions increase in subsidy costs

Jul 10 2013

Utah senator writes to President Barack Obama to ask why administration's subsidy funding has risen. Meanwhile, KHN examines cost-sharing assistance available under the law.

Fox News: Cost Of Obamacare Subsidies Has Increased Dramatically, Critics Say
The cost of subsidies for those seeking government aid through Obamacare has increased dramatically, critics say – even before a single dollar has been collected. Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah wrote a letter to the administration asking why the president is already requesting 107 percent more than three years ago to pay for subsidies (Angle, 7/8).

Kaiser Health News: Insuring Your Health: In Addition To Premium Credits, Health Law Offers Some Consumers Help Paying Deductibles And Co-Pays
For the plans being sold through the online health insurance marketplaces next year, much of the discussion has been on tax credits that can reduce the monthly premium for people with incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level ($94,200 for a family of four in 2013). But the Affordable Care Act also established another type of financial assistance for people who buy plans on the marketplaces, also known as exchanges. Cost-sharing subsidies can substantially reduce the deductibles, copayments, coinsurance and total out-of-pocket spending limits for people with incomes up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level (Andrews, 7/9).