Top Story Over At Google Finance -- June 4, 2016

Updates

June 5, 2016: a lot has happened in the last 36 hours, but one day later; this story won't go away. This remains the top story over at Google Finance.

 
Those paying attention know that employers see these hikes coming and are doing what they can to minimize hiring.

Original Post

 

Right now, this is the #1 story, the top story, at Google Finance: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-blue-cross-obamacare-premiums-0605-biz-20160603-story.html. Obviously it's a dynamic link, but even I was surprised that this is the top Google Finance story today, Saturday.

In Texas, Blue Cross and Blue Shield is seeking increases averaging 53.7 percent across its Affordable Care Act plans, according to documents posted online by the federal government. In Oklahoma, Blue Cross and Blue Shield is seeking rate increases that average 49.2 percent. It is far from certain if the rate increases will hold up on review, or how much they might change.

One of the key aspects of ObamaCare (other than "if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor") was the promise that ObamaCare would stop the rate of growth in healthcare costs which, at the time, were going up about 4% a year. Compare that with 54% now. Whatever.

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The Granddaughters

 Taken from quite a distance with an iPhone. By the end of the day, Sophia was in her swimming suit and in the deep end of the pool on her "alligator."