Well, the increase coincided with the passing of the ACA.  My premium in 2013 was $250.  My premium in 2014 was a few times that.  My premium for 2017 is $1300.  It has made insurance affordable for those who have subsidies and distinctly unaffordable for those who do not. I support a public option and this is why, but let's not pretend the ACA didn't screw over some people in favor of others, because it most definitely did.  And Alaska is possibly the best example of that, because the premium for similar coverage elsewhere is substantially lower.