Study: Premiums Would Rise Without Individual Mandate

Insurance premiums would increase by as much as 25% if the federal health reform law is implemented without an individual mandate, according to a new study from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The study found that premiums could increase because young, healthy people would be less likely to purchase coverage. Premiums would increase by about 10% in states with high levels of participation in new health insurance exchanges, and between 20% to 25% in states where fewer individuals use the exchanges, according to the study.

• "Study: Premiums Could Rise 25 Percent Without Insurance Mandate" (Baker, "Healthwatch," The Hill, 1/12).