Home Affordable Care Act Topics

Affordable Care Act

About the ACA

Promotional image for KFF video How Affordable is the Affordable Care Act

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.

Latest News

More KFF Health News

Stay informed.

Get KFF's latest on the Affordable Care Act

Stay informed.

Get KFF's
latest on the Affordable
Care Act

View the Latest: Affordable Care Act

Filter

List Grid

2,391 - 2,400 of 2,782 Results

  • Brief Provides Update on LGBT Coverage and Health as More States Recognize Same-Sex Marriage

    News Release

    An updated issue brief from the Kaiser Family Foundation gives a detailed profile of health concerns for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, offers the latest demographic data, and discusses the impact of recent changes in state and federal policies on health coverage, including the Affordable Care Act and same-sex marriage. As of this month, same-sex marriage is recognized in 32 states and the District of Columbia. The brief, Health and Access to Care and…

  • Poll: Obamacare Is Not a Big Issue With Midterm Voters

    From Drew Altman

    In this column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, Drew Altman analyzes recent polling data on the Affordable Care Act and discusses why it will not be a significant factor in next week’s midterm election.

  • Web Briefing for Journalists: Consumer Issues Ahead of the Affordable Care Act’s Second Open Enrollment Season

    Event Date:
    Event

    The Affordable Care Act's second annual open enrollment period starts Nov. 15 and runs until Feb. 15 -- a three-month window for Americans to shop for and purchase new health coverage, or change their plan through Healthcare.gov or their state-run insurance marketplace.  This year's open enrollment season poses both new and recurring challenges for consumers:  How are premiums for marketplace plans changing, and what do the changes mean for consumers?  Why might current marketplace customers…

  • Explaining the 2015 Open Enrollment Period

    Issue Brief

    The brief provides an overview of what consumers can expect during the second annual Open Enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which runs from November 15, 2014 through February 15, 2015. It is the second opportunity for uninsured individuals to enroll in private insurance coverage, premium tax credits and cost sharing subsidies and the first time that people newly insured in 2014 can renew their health plan coverage and subsidies. It also overlaps…

  • The ACA’s Basic Health Program Option: Federal Requirements and State Trade-Offs

    Report

    The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) gives states the option to implement a Basic Health Program (BHP) that covers low-income residents through state-contracting plans outside the health insurance marketplace, rather than qualified health plans (QHPs). In March 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued final regulations on the requirements for a BHP and the methodology for calculating federal payments to states. States can choose to implement BHP beginning in 2015.…

  • Health Insurance Explained: The YouToons Have it Covered

    Video

    In this five-minute animated video, the YouToons help consumers understand their health insurance through fun, easy-to-understand explanations and scenarios. This cartoon serves as a tutorial for consumers and organizations. The YouToons previously appeared in the 2010 animated movie, "Health Reform Hits Main Street" and the 2013, "The YouToons Get Ready for Obamacare: Health Insurance Changes Coming Your Way Under the Affordable Care Act."

  • How Will the Uninsured in Ohio Fare Under the Affordable Care Act?

    Fact Sheet

    This state report explains how the ACA expands coverage in Ohio, including a breakdown of how many uninsured people are eligible for Medicaid, how many are eligible for financial assistance to help them buy private insurance in the new Marketplace and how many will not receive any financial assistance at all. The report also details, in specific dollar figures, the income levels at which people in Ohio are eligible for Medicaid or financial assistance in…

  • How Will the Uninsured in Texas Fare Under the Affordable Care Act?

    Fact Sheet

    This state report explains how the ACA expands coverage in Texas, including a breakdown of how many uninsured people are eligible for Medicaid, how many are eligible for financial assistance to help them buy private insurance in the new Marketplace and how many will not receive any financial assistance at all. The report also details, in specific dollar figures, the income levels at which people in Texas are eligible for Medicaid or financial assistance in…