CHART OF THE WEEK

This chart shows the expected average increases in Obamacare premiums for each state and the District of Columbia for 2017.  The lowest increase is in Rhode Island, where premiums will increase an average of 1.5 percent.  The most unaffordable change is in Oklahoma, where premiums will increase a whopping average of 76 percent.  Nationwide, premiums are set to increase by an average of 25.6 percent according to JEC estimates.

 

This data and the methodology used to estimate it can be found on our new State Obamacare Premium Data page.  Also, be sure to check out our new JEC Web App that provides key economic statistics for each state.

 

LAST WEEK

News & Commentary Weekly Highlights:

• Wall Street Journal: SEC unveils executive pay ratio guidelines (Thursday)
• Bloomberg: Venezuela Exports Its Crisis (Thursday)
• Wall Street Journal: Rate Increases for Health Plans Pose Serious Test for Obama’s Signature Law (Tuesday)
• RealClear: Repercussions of Dakota Access Pipeline Delay (Monday)
• RealClear: Global Debt Exceeds Levels of 2008 (Monday)

 

Top Economic Indicator Highlights:

• Consumer Price Index (September 2016, seasonally adjusted, year-over-year changes)
  • Excluding food and energy: September: 2.2%, August: 2.3%, July: 2.2%
  • Including food and energy: September: 1.5%, August: 1.1%, July: 0.8%
  • Noteworthy: The core CPI (excluding food and energy) has remained steadily above 2% after a persistent lull between 2012 and 2015.  Although the Fed’s primary inflation gauge is the core PCE index (personal consumption expenditures excluding food and energy), the Fed also watches the CPI.  This new data makes a Fed rate hike in 2016 more probable.

JEC Releases:

• Interactive Map: Obamacare Premium Increases Over Previous Year by State (Thursday)
• JEC Republican Web App (Wednesday)
• The ‘New Normal’? Part 2: Subdued Employment (Monday)

 

THIS WEEK

Upcoming Major Indicators

• Chicago Fed National Activity Index (8:30am, Mon)
• Philly Fed Non-Manufacturing Survey (8:30am, Tue)
• Consumer Confidence Index (10:00am, Tue)
• Richmond Fed Manufacturing Survey (10:00am, Tue)
• Advance Economic Indicators (8:30am, Wed)
• New Residential Sales (10:00am, Wed)
• Revised Building Permits (8:00am, Thu)
• Jobless Claims (8:30am, Thu)
• Pending Home Sales (10:00am, Thu)
• Employment Cost Index (8:30am, Fri)
• Gross Domestic Product (Advance Estimate) (8:30am, Fri)
• Michigan Consumer Sentiment (Final) (10:00am, Fri)
• Michigan Inflation Expectations (Final) (10:00am, Fri)