Ohio Sen. Jon Husted and His Ties to Insurance Companies Amidst Rising Rates
In a political career spanning over two decades, Ohio Sen. Jon Husted has received more than $679,000 from insurance companies and their executives. These companies are now increasing their rates, affecting many Ohio residents.
Starting his political journey in the Ohio House of Representatives in 2000, Husted later served in the state Senate in 2008, became lieutenant governor in 2018, and was appointed to the U.S. Senate to replace Vice President J.D. Vance last year.
Financial disclosures from his campaigns reveal backing from prominent insurers such as Anthem (now known as Elevance Health), Medical Mutual of Ohio, UnitedHealth Group, and their PACs. Over the years, additional support came from companies like CareSource, Buckeye Community Health Plan, Summa Health Systems, and Centene.
In 2025, Husted’s year-end filing introduced a new contributor: America’s Health Insurance Plans PAC, a trade organization for insurance providers.
These supporters are currently raising premiums on Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) plans in Ohio, with Buckeye Community Health Plan implementing a 27.25% increase.
UnitedHealth Group is raising its rates by 30.9%, while Paramount Insurance Company has the most significant hike of 37%.
A Centene spokesperson, representing Buckeye Community Health Plan, explained to the Ohio Capital Journal that such increases are essential to satisfy patient demand.
“Over the past several months, we have been working closely with Ohio regulators and their third-party actuaries to balance rising health care costs with the needs of Ohio citizens,” the spokesperson stated. “Our rate adjustments reflect higher-than-expected care needs than in previous years, including increased hospitalizations, emergency room utilization, and behavioral health services.”
Centene reported a gross profit of $16.8 billion for 2024.
The expiration of enhanced Obamacare tax credits, which had previously kept premiums low for 22 million Americans, including 500,000 Ohioans, compounds these rate increases. On January 13, Husted expressed his opposition to a bipartisan proposal to extend these credits for an additional three years.
As Husted campaigns for his first full term in the U.S. Senate, he is likely to face former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in the election.
An Emerson College poll conducted in December indicates that nearly half of Ohio voters consider economic issues, particularly affordability, to be their primary concern heading into the election.
—
Read More Kitchen Table News
