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Did the Affordable Care Act Make Health Care More Affordable?

The expiration of the ACA’s enhanced premium tax credits at the start of 2026, combined with rising insurer premiums, put a spotlight on health care affordability that extends beyond Marketplace enrollees. KFF’s Cynthia Cox examines the ACA’s record and the broader underlying question it raises: what’s a fair price for Americans people to pay for health care?

The ACA MarketplaceS

In Preliminary Rate Filings, ACA Marketplace Insurers Largely Propose Double-Digit Premium Increase For 2027, Following a Steep Climb This Year 

ACA Marketplace insurers are proposing a median premium increase of 14% for 2027— indicating a likely second consecutive year of double-digit increases, according to a new analysis of preliminary rate filings in 16 states and DC. If these increases hold, typical premiums for insurers participating in the ACA Marketplaces would jump by more than one-third between 2025 and 2027.

The Average Marketplace Deductible Grew by About $1,000 Per Person in 2026, With More Enrollees Shifting to Higher-Deductible Plans as Enhanced Tax Credits Expired

The average Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace deductible experienced the steepest increase in history—growing by 37% or over $1,000, from $2,759 in 2025 to $3,786 in 2026 as enhanced premium tax credits expired, according to a new KFF analysis. After the enhanced tax credits ended, many Marketplace shoppers shifted toward lower-premium, higher-deductible plans.

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  • State Marketplace Profiles: Michigan

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    Final update made on November 26, 2013 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Marketplace While Governor Rick Snyder (R) supports the creation of a State-based Marketplace, he acknowledged on November 16, 2012, that without authorizing legislation, he would plan for a State-federal Partnership Marketplace.1  The state began moving in the direction of a partnership in August 2012 due to legislative opposition that left the state unable to meet the federal timetable for implementation.2  Michigan will…

  • State Exchange Profiles: Tennessee

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    Final update made on December 10, 2012 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Exchange On December 10, 2012, Governor Bill Haslam (R) announced Tennessee would default to a federally-facilitated health insurance exchange.1 Prior to the announcement that the state would not operate its own exchange, the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration established the Insurance Exchange Planning Initiative to advise the Governor and Legislature on exchange implementation. The Initiative worked closely with a…

  • State Marketplace Profiles: Iowa

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    Final update made on November 18, 2013 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Marketplace On December 14, 2012, Governor Terry Branstad (R) informed federal officials that Iowa would pursue a State-federal Partnership Marketplace.1  Iowa will assume plan management functions in the Marketplace and will continue to perform Medicaid and CHIP eligibility determinations. The state intends to transition to a fully State-based Marketplace in 2016. Contracting with Plans: The Iowa Insurance Department (IID) is responsible…

  • State Marketplace Profiles: District of Columbia

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    Final update made on October 1, 2013 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Marketplace On December 20, 2011 the District of Columbia City Council gave final approval to a bill establishing the District of Columbia Health Benefit Exchange Authority (HBX) and in late January 2012, Mayor Vincent Gray (D) signed the legislation into law (Act 19-269).1  The bill was also subject to a 30-day Congressional review. In June 2013, the District of Columbia announced that its new…

  • State Marketplace Profiles: Rhode Island

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    Final update made on October 8, 2013 (no further updates will be made)  Establishing the Marketplace After the legislature failed to pass Marketplace legislation during the 2011 session, Governor Lincoln Chafee (I) signed Executive Order 11-09 on September 19, 2011, to establish the Rhode Island Health Benefit Exchange.1  In July 2013, Rhode Island announced that its Marketplace would be called HealthSource RI.2  Recommendations by the Rhode Island Healthcare Reform Commission largely informed the Governor’s decision to…

  • State Exchange Profiles: Kansas

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    Final update made on March 21, 2013 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Exchange After placing health insurance exchange planning on hold until after the November elections, Governor Sam Brownback (R) announced on November 9, 2012, Kansas would default to a federally-facilitated exchange.1,2 With the initial endorsement of the Governor in 2011, Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, had established eight exchange planning work groups comprised of hundreds of volunteers across civic groups, government…

  • State Exchange Profiles: Louisiana

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    Final update made on December 13, 2012 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Exchange Governor Bobby Jindal (R) announced that Louisiana will not pursue the establishment of a state-based health insurance exchange and instead will allow the federal government to operate an exchange in the state.1 While a bill establishing an exchange was introduced in the 2012 legislative session, it was not supported by the Governor and failed when the legislative session ended (SB…

  • State Marketplace Profiles: Colorado

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    Final update made on November 8, 2013 (no further updates will be made)  Establishing the Marketplace On June 1, 2011, Governor John Hickenlooper (D) signed SB 11-200 into law, establishing the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange.1  In January 2013, the Exchange announced that the online Marketplace would be called Connect for Health Colorado (C4HCO). Structure: The legislation defines Colorado’s Marketplace as a quasi-governmental organization, specifically a "nonprofit unincorporated public entity." Governance: The Marketplace is governed by a 12-member board.…

  • State Exchange Profiles: Virginia

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    Final update made on July 12, 2013 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Exchange On December 14, 2012, Governor Bob McDonnell (R) informed federal officials that Virginia would not continue to plan for a state-based health insurance exchange.1  Prior to the decision, Governor McDonnell had signed HB 2434 into law declaring the state’s intent to establish a state-based health insurance exchange.2  The legislation was based on a recommendation by the Virginia Health Reform Initiative Advisory…

  • State Marketplace Profiles: Illinois

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    Final update made on October 15, 2013 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Marketplace While Governor Pat Quinn (D) had considered establishing a state-based marketplace via executive order, he began moving in the direction of a state-federal partnership marketplace in July 2012.1 ,2  While the state has established a Partnership Marketplace, the administration still intends to transition to a fully State-based Marketplace in 2015 and will continue with the necessary planning. Illinois will be…