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7/12/2024
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Rep. Morales urges OHIC to reject private health insurance rate increases
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STATE HOUSE — Rep. David Morales today voiced his opposition to the increases in health insurance premiums proposed by private insurers for next year and has asked the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner not to accept the increases as proposed.
“Despite the quality of care remaining almost the same, private health insurance companies are proposing steep rate hikes that would impact over 150,000 Rhode Islanders. In fact, these proposed rate hikes are significantly higher than those of previous years. So combined with the increasing cost of housing, energy, food and other basic amenities, working people cannot afford to pay more for medical services while health insurance executives continue to rake in millions in profit,” said Representative Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence). “I urge OHIC to consider the impact that these rate hikes would have on our neighbors because if we allow healthcare to become more expensive then we will have people in our communities that will choose to go uninsured and delay the medical care they need to stay healthy.”
Each year, as part of OHIC’s rate review process, Rhode Island’s insurers file requests for rate increases to their premiums. All but two of this year’s rate requests are for 7.9% or higher, topping out at a 22.7% increase. In the previous two years, 16.1% was the highest increase requested by an insurer.
Representative Morales also urged members of the public to share their concerns with OHIC, who will be holding a virtual town hall on July 15 at 4:30 p.m.
“The rate review is a public and collaborative process, so it is critical we have community members show up and make their opposition heard,” said Representative Morales. “Whether it is an email or verbal testimony at OHIC’s virtual meeting, our voices and concerns make a difference.”
OHIC is also accepting public comment through July 19 via email at OHIC.HealthInsInq@ohic.ri.gov or by mail addressed to the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner at 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Building #69, Cranston, RI 02920.
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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