TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A new national study says Kansas could see an increase of nearly 19 percent by 2017 in medical claims costs for individual insurance policies under the federal health care overhaul.
That’s better than the nationwide figure of nearly 32 percent forecast by the Society of Actuaries study.
Kansas legislators from both parties said Wednesday they’re not surprised some costs could rise under the 2010 federal health care law championed by President Barack Obama.
Medical claims costs are a major driver of health insurance premiums.
The study assumes all states expand Medicaid coverage under the federal health care law. Kansas hasn’t made a decision on that issue, but many Republican legislators oppose an expansion.
