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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: Nevada

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    Final update made on September 26, 2013 (no further updates will be made ) Establishing the Marketplace On June 16, 2011, Nevada’s Governor Brian Sandoval (R) signed SB 440 into law establishing the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange.1  In March 2013, the state announced that the online marketplace would be called Nevada Health Link. Structure: The legislation defines Nevada’s Exchange as a quasi-governmental organization. Governance: The Marketplace is governed by a 10-member board, including three ex officio, non-voting…

  • State Exchange Profiles: Pennsylvania

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    Final update made on December 12, 2012 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Exchange On December 12, 2012, Governor Tom Corbett (R) notified federal officials that Pennsylvania would default to a federally-facilitated health insurance exchange.1 Prior to the announcement, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department had taken the lead with exchange planning. The Insurance Department, released an extensive report in November 2011 that suggested broad support for a state-run exchange.2 In January 2012, the Department released…

  • 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 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 Exchange Profiles: Vermont

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    Final update made on July 24, 2013 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Exchange On May 26, 2011, Governor Peter Shumlin (D) signed into law HB 202, a far-reaching health reform law that puts the state on a path toward establishing a single-payer health care system.1  As an interim step, the law created the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange to meet the requirements of federal health reform. The state plans to put into place…

  • State Exchange Profiles: Arizona

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    Final update made on December 4, 2012 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Exchange  On November 28, 2012, Governor Jan Brewer (R) informed federal officials that Arizona would default to a federally-facilitated health insurance exchange.1 Prior to her decision to default, the Governor had established the Office of Health Insurance Exchange to “organize the health insurance marketplace for easier evaluation by individuals and small businesses to acquire affordable health insurance.”2 While legislation establishing a…

  • State Exchange Profiles: South Carolina

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    Final update made on December 10, 2012 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Exchange On November 15, 2012, Governor Nikki Haley (R) informed federal officials South Carolina would default to a federally-operated health insurance exchange.1 This decision was largely based on findings from the South Carolina Health Planning Committee which had concluded the state cannot implement a state-based exchange as required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and should instead encourage the establishment of…