Rising insurance premiums strain Oklahoma families as Congress stalls

Insurance affordability is becoming a growing concern for Oklahoma families as premiums rise across health, homeowners and auto coverage, with little action from Congress to slow the increases.

Lawmakers and policy advocates say insurance costs are rising faster than many households can afford, forcing families to choose between keeping coverage, accepting higher deductibles or dropping insurance altogether.

Health insurance premiums remain a particular concern as Oklahoma continues to rank near the bottom nationally for overall health outcomes, increasing the stakes for families who rely on consistent coverage.

Frustration with federal inaction

During recent discussions on Your Vote Counts, state leaders expressed frustration that Congress left Washington for the holiday recess without advancing legislation aimed at stabilizing insurance markets or easing premium increases.

Federal officials had previously discussed proposals to offset rising costs, including direct payments to consumers, but no agreement was reached before the recess.

Rising costs across all coverage types

Rising costs are not limited to health coverage. Homeowners and auto insurance premiums have also climbed sharply, driven by inflation, higher repair costs and an increase in insurance claims nationwide.

Some lawmakers fear the cumulative impact could push more Oklahomans out of the insurance market entirely, particularly younger adults who may choose to go without coverage.

Watch part 2 of Your Vote Counts in the player below