BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) — Idaho delegates have released statements following the news of the premium increase expected in 2017 within the Affordable Care Act.

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo:

“Once again, Idahoans are seeing that Obamacare is not solving the issues or providing the solutions it was supposed to achieve. From reduced plan options, to costly deductibles to a lack of choice in doctors, patients are now being saddled with a premium increase of nearly 25 percent. While titled the ‘Affordable Care Act,’ Obamacare has failed to control costs for patients and offer the choices promised by President Obama. Now, in its implementation, we are seeing the weight of the law collapse at the expense of working families. In Idaho families will see an increase of more than 24 percent in their premiums and while there are five plans providing coverage in Idaho, reports indicate that for 2017, not all carriers or plans may be available across the state."

Opponent Jerry Sturgill:

"The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is not perfect. However, it has allowed Americans with pre-existing conditions that were previously ineligible for coverage to have healthcare and students to stay on their parents plans for a longer period of time while they complete their education.

Those who advocate for dismantling the ACA have continued to push out the same rhetoric threatening to withdraw healthcare from 20 million Americans. One of those 20 million is my daughter, who contracted Type I diabetes as a teenager. If it were not for the ACA, her pre-existing condition would have kept her from being able to obtain health insurance. What these obstructionists have failed to articulate is a plan to replace or fix the ACA. Congress needs to act to rein in rising healthcare costs by addressing the price of prescriptions, the structure for subsidies and deductibles, and whether expanding Medicaid in their respective states makes sense. "

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Senator Jim Risch:

“Every day we see more and more problems associated with Obamacare. The White House's latest announcement regarding substantial and unacceptable premium increases is further, irrefutable evidence that this one-size-fits-all approach to health care is unworkable and unaffordable. As I have said since the beginning, we must replace this abomination before it inflicts even greater pain on Idahoans.”

This will be updated if we receive more statements from delegates and/or their opponents.