by. Dan Cook

Yet another citadel of knowledge has weighed in on whether the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will lead to higher health insurance premiums.

The Rand Corp. says rates generally will not be higher as a result of the act’s implementation, as now configured.

Moreover, Rand found that workers at firms employing fewer than 100 workers are expected pay almost 6% less in premiums in 2016 than without the health care reform law.

Nationally, the report said, average premiums for equal plans would cost $5,837 with Obamacare in effect and $6,192 without it — a $355 savings. Premiums at large companies weren’t examined in the report.

While Rand has a reputation as an objective source of information, it should be noted that the study was paid for by a unit of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

continue reading »