Unpredictable health insurance premium increases creating unaffordable coverage

Individuals and small businesses face sudden, dramatic health insurance rate hikes (29% in Arizona vs 3% in Vermont) that make coverage unaffordable or force them to drop plans entirely. Current solutions fail because premium increases are opaque, vary wildly by state/insurer, and people have limited ability to shop or negotiate rates before renewal. The lack of transparency and control leaves people trapped paying more for the same coverage or going uninsured.