ATLANTA (AP) - A study by the Society of Actuaries estimates the new federal health care law will raise medical claims costs in Georgia by 27.6 percent.
The study says medical claims costs - the main driver of health insurance premiums - are expected to rise nationally by an average of 32 percent by 2017. Actuaries say the cost increase is partially due to sicker people joining the individual health insurance pool since companies will no longer be able to turn them down.
Federal officials say the study fails to take into account several cost-cutting measures, such as tax credits for providers serving high risk patients.
The study assumes every state will expand its Medicaid program, but Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has said the state will not expand the program.
