Lofgren touts low rate increases, says ACA working in California

WASHINGTON, DC – Following an announcement today that health insurance rates will increase at a lower rate than before the Affordable Care Act was enacted, U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation,applauded Covered California, the state's health insurance marketplace, and credited the federal health care law for helping individuals and families in California.

"Prior to the Affordable Care Act, Californians were at the mercy of a wildly unpredictable health insurance market. Too often, families and individuals found themselves saddled with double-digit premium increases, declining benefits, or cut off from coverage altogether. Today, thanks to the new law, our state benefits from a thriving, competitive and transparent health insurance marketplace."

Santa Clara County benefitted from the lowest rate increases statewide, with an average plan increase of just 1.0%.

According to Covered California, 64,924 individuals in Santa Clara County signed up for coverage during the first open-enrollment period, and 84 percent of them received premium assistance. It is expected that 23 percent of these consumers will see a decrease in rates this year.