MEDIA ADVISORY
For release October 25th, 2016
Philadelphians to Protest ACA Insurance Rate Hikes
Who: Put People First! PA, a statewide grassroots organization bringing everyday people together to fight for health and dignity. More at www.putpeoplefirstpa.org
When: Thursday, October 27th, 4:30pm POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER. New time: Thursday, November 3, 4:30pm
Where: Independence Blue Cross Corporate Headquarters – 1901 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
This Thursday, members of Put People First! PA and other Philadelphia residents will gather outside of Independence Blue Cross’ (IBX) headquarters to protest the massive rate hikes slated to hit people buying insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace in 2017. They will speak out about the effects of rising insurance and health care costs on them and their families.
While insurance company CEOs like IBX’s Daniel Hilferty continue to make millions of dollars, communities all across Pennsylvania are faced with an average increase of 32.5% for ACA individual plans and 7.1% for small group plans. IBX petitioned the Insurance Department to increase their rates by 19.87%, and instead were approved for 27.97%, 40% more than they asked for. Pennsylvanians are already being forced to choose between paying for healthcare and paying for other necessities. In a recent survey conducted by Put People First! PA, which included Pennsylvania residents from over 40 counties, more than 1 in 3 said that in the last 12 months healthcare costs forced them to skip paying for basics like electricity and groceries.
This protest continues a campaign led by Put People First! PA to make healthcare a human right in Pennsylvania. Earlier this year, the campaign successfully pressured the Insurance Department to hold its first ever public hearings on ACA rate increases. On Thursday, that effort to put the lives and experiences of regular people at the center of decisions about health care will continue.
For more information, contact Zachary Hershman at zachary.hershman@gmail.com