From American Community Media article, "Rising Health Costs Are Forcing More Americans to Forego Care" by Sunita Sohrabji:
Consumer advocates warn that millions of Americans who buy their own health insurance are facing another year of steep premium hikes. They are then forced to choose between necessities such as food and house payments versus health care. The impact is especially pronounced in states [, like Georgia and Washington, that are] already seeing some of the nation’s largest proposed increases.
Insurance companies there have requested average premium hikes of more than 22% for 2027, according to Emily Brice, co-executive director of Northwest Health Law Advocates.
“If those rates are approved, the average silver plan for next year will cost $970 a month. How is any family supposed to afford that?” she queried. “The folks that I’m talking to every day are doing survival math,” she added. “They’re forced to choose between affording their health coverage and other basic needs like food and rent.”