Sharp premiums hikes for some states

The New York Times reported that a number of states expect substantial increases in next year's premiums for health insurance plans sold on the state exchanges. Some states expect increases of over 50%. While the insurance subsidies will help many, NPR points out that there are some who will experience the cost of these increases: those who are not covered by insurance through their employers but also earn too much to qualify for subsidies. The New York Times raises the persistent question of whether or not these rate hikes are part of the so-called death spiral.

This news of increased premiums comes against the positive news of nationwide availability of insurance plans sold off of the insurance exchanges: Vox reported that every county is expected to offer at least one plan.