Aetna CEO Says Young People Pick Weekend Beer Over Obamacare

  • High premiums push healthy individuals from market, CEO says
  • ACA premiums could rise even more next year without fixes

Aetna CEO: Young People Pick Beer Over Obamacare

Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg
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Healthier people will avoid buying Affordable Care Act health insurance plans as premiums climb, threatening the stability of the market, Aetna Inc. Chief Executive Officer Mark Bertolini said.

“As the rates rise, the healthier people pull out because the out-of-pocket costs aren’t worth it,” Bertolini said at Bloomberg’s The Year Ahead Summit in New York. “Young people can do the math. Gas for the car, beer on Fridays and Saturdays, health insurance.”