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FACT BRIEF

Did Obamacare cause health insurance premiums to increase 100%?

By Tom Kertscher
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NO

Average annual health insurance premiums have increased 67% to 75% since Obamacare became law in 2010 -- less than what they increased before the law.

In 2023, the average annual premium for single coverage was $8,435 — 67% higher than the $5,049 in 2010.

For family coverage, the average was $23,968 in 2023 — up 74% from $13,770.

The figures are from annual surveys of private and nonfederal public employers by the KFF health policy nonprofit.

The 100% claim was made Sept. 23, 2024, by Robert Kennedy Jr. at a forum held by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.

Kennedy's organization did not reply to information requests.

Premiums increases were higher before Obamacare, formally the Affordable Care Act.

The single average of $5,049 in 2010 was 130% higher than the $2,196 in 1999, the first year of the survey.

The family average of $13,770 was 138% higher than the $5,791 in 1999.

See a full discussion of this at Wisconsin Watch
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
KFF 2023 Employer Health Benefits Survey
FaceVeVOO Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks on healthcare
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson Media advisory
KFF The Affordable Care Act 101
KFF Premiums and Worker Contributions Among Workers Covered by Employer-Sponsored Coverage, 1999-2023
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.