PEORIA, IL- Today Rep. LaHood issued the following statement in response to the release of Illinois Exchange Rates under the Affordable Care Act (ACA):

“The 2017 Illinois Exchange rates show that rates have increased as much as 40% for Illinois families. It has been almost seven years since the enactment of Obamacare, and these numbers are the latest confirmation of what we already knew: the federal government does not run big things well. Healthcare is no exception. These increased premiums and deductibles hurt individuals, middle-class families, and small businesses, while reducing access to quality, affordable health care,” stated Rep. LaHood. “House Republicans’ Better Way agenda would replace Obamacare with a patient centered, competitive system that gives Americans more choices, lower costs, greater flexibility—and less bureaucracy. America deserves better.”

This spike is not unique to Illinois. Average premiums in job-based coverage have increased by $3,775 since the inception of the ACA. This spike in costs is partially due to the $1 trillion in new taxes on health providers, hard-working Americans, and businesses levied by Obamacare.

House Republicans plan, entitled A Better Way, would repeal all of these taxes as part of the effort to fix America’s healthcare system and replace Obamacare with patient-centered reforms. Those details, as well as the 48 ideas for healthcare reform, can be found HERE.