Blame Democrats for disaster

Sally Jackson (June 18) blames rising health insurance premiums on Republicans, claiming they voted against single-payer and made insurers the middle men. No Republican senator or representative voted for Obamacare. Democrats had majorities in the House and the Senate. They own this train wreck.

There was no vote on single-payer. Obamacare established the feds and/or the state as new cost-increasing middlemen in the private insurance market. I once paid Premera. Now I pay the state, which then pays Premera.

There will be anger when premiums skyrocket? Millions of independent purchasers were kicked off their plans the first day of Obamacare, then forced to buy back approved plans through convoluted, privacy-invading exchanges. My $464-per-month Premera plan jumped to more than $800 day one of Obamacare, and my deductible rose another $2,500. My plan – the cheapest available – rose again this year to $910. My kid’s plan jumped more than $1,200 per year because colleges replaced basic with approved plans. I spend $7,000 more per year for health insurance than I did the day before Obamacare kicked in.

Only Democrats voted for this disaster. I blame them and the people who voted for them.

Kelly Murphy

Spokane