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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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  • No, Medicaid Isn’t Broken

    From Drew Altman

    With Medicaid about to be a focal point of debate in the Senate, Drew Altman's Axios column looks at why the idea that the program is broken is more urban legend than fact.

  • The Share of Young Adults Who Received Mental Health Treatment Jumped 45% from 2019 to 2022, the Largest Increase Among Any Age Group

    News Release

    A new KFF analysis shows that the share of young adults (ages 18 to 26) receiving mental health treatment rose by 45% between 2019 and 2022 – a steeper increase than in any other age group. More than 1 in 4 young adults (26%) received counseling and/or medication for mental health concerns in 2022, up from 18% three years earlier, according to the analysis of the most up-to-date National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data available.…

  • JAMA Forum: Has Obamacare Become Trumpcare?

    Perspective

    With the effort to repeal or replace the Affordable Care Act seemingly on hold or even dead, Larry Levitt discusses what the Trump administration could do to make the ACA successful - including providing clarity around individual mandate enforcement and cost-sharing reduction payments; maintaining outreach and consumer assistance; and encouraging insurers to participate in the individual insurance marketplaces. The post is now available at The JAMA Forum.

  • Policy Changes Bring Renewed Focus on High-Deductible Health Plans 

    Issue Brief

    Policy changes, anticipated increases in premium costs for enrollees, and new standards for health savings accounts may encourage consumers to seek out plans with lower premiums but higher deductibles. This issue brief explores the features of bronze and catastrophic plans, coverage and costs, and the complicated choices consumers face.

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

    Fact Sheet

    This state report explains how the ACA expands coverage in Florida, 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 Florida are eligible for Medicaid or financial assistance in…

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

    Fact Sheet

    This state report explains how the ACA expands coverage in Montana, 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 Montana are eligible for Medicaid or financial assistance in…

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

    Fact Sheet

    This state report explains how the ACA expands coverage in Nevada, 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 Nevada are eligible for Medicaid or financial assistance in…

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

    Fact Sheet

    This state report explains how the ACA expands coverage in New York, 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 New York are eligible for Medicaid or financial…

  • Newly Insured Californians Report Easier Access to Care Than the Uninsured

    News Release

    Low-income California adults who gained insurance coverage in 2014 had an easier time accessing health care than those who were uninsured and increased financial protection from medical bills, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) report. The report, funded by the Blue Shield of California Foundation and based on findings from the California sample of the 2014 Kaiser Survey of Low-Income Americans and the ACA, finds that newly-insured Californians were more likely to have…