Alaska insurance rates set to spike

Alaskans buying health insurance through their state exchange can expect a price spike of more than 30 percent on average, news that could hurt Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), who voted for ObamaCare.

{mosads}Alaska Public Media reports that the two health insurance companies supplying plans on the state exchange will dramatically increase their plans’ average costs next year.

Republicans have long predicted that a spike in insurance costs driven by ObamaCare’s state exchanges would occur this fall, and while that prediction has failed to materialize in many states, in Alaska, it looks like they were prescient — and that it might hurt Begich’s campaign.

Begich is in a tight race with former Alaska Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Sullivan (R), and the incumbent’s support for ObamaCare has been a central issue in the race.