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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 Exchange Profiles: Mississippi

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    Final update made on February 11, 2013 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Exchange In October 2011, Mississippi’s elected Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney (R) announced that the state would establish a Health Insurance Exchange that would be operated by the Mississippi Comprehensive Health Insurance Risk Pool Association and regulated by the Insurance Department.1 However, Governor Phil Bryant (R) has opposed the effort to establish a state-based exchange. The Comprehensive Health insurance Risk Pool…

  • State Marketplace Profiles: Massachusetts

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    Final update made on September 29, 2013 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Marketplace On April 12, 2006, former Governor Mitt Romney (R) signed into law comprehensive health reform legislation designed to provide near-universal health coverage for state residents.1  The Massachusetts health reform law became the model for national health reform. An important component of the law was the creation of the Massachusetts Health Connector, a health insurance marketplace that manages several coverage programs.…

  • State Exchange Profiles: Nebraska

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    Final update made on December 19, 2013 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Exchange On November 15, 2012, Governor Dave Heineman (R) announced that Nebraska would not establish a health insurance exchange.1Earlier in 2012, the Nebraska legislature introduced two bills (LB 835 and LB 838) to establish a health insurance exchange in Nebraska, however both failed when the legislative session concluded in April.2,3 In 2011, Governor Heineman signed LB 22 into law, which…

  • State Exchange Profiles: Montana

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    Final update made on April 19, 2013 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Exchange In December 2012, Montana’s elected State Auditor Monica Lindeen (D) confirmed that the federal government would operate a health insurance exchange in Montana.1 The previous year, two proposed bills (HB620 and HB124) to establish a health insurance exchange in Montana failed.2,3 Instead, the legislature passed SB 228, a bill that would prohibit the creation of a health insurance exchange as proscribed…

  • 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…