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BTD Health Policy in 2026

Health Policy in 2026

In a new column, President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman forecasts eight things to look for in health policy in 2026. “First and foremost,” he writes, “is the role health care affordability will play in the midterms.” And, he notes: “The average cost of a family policy for employers could approach $30,000 and cost sharing and deductibles will rise again after plateauing for several years.”

View all of Drew’s Beyond the Data Columns

New and Noteworthy

How Much and Why ACA Marketplace Premiums Are Going Up in 2026

A new analysis of initial rate filings for Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans submitted by 312 insurers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia finds the median proposed increase for 2026 is 18%, more than double last year’s 7% median proposed increase. The proposed rates are preliminary and could change before being finalized in late summer. In addition to rising cost and utilization of services, insurers cited the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits as a significant factor in their rate hikes for next year.

Explaining Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs)

Examining Short-Term Limited-Duration Health Plans

Health Savings Account Provisions in the 2025 Tax and Spending Law

Consumer Experiences with Health Insurance

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  • Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: October 2016

    Feature

    This month’s Kaiser Health Tracking Poll examines top issues to voters in the presidential election and finds that while health care ranks low, voters report being aware of the differences between Clinton’s and Trump’s health care proposals. Findings also include a look at which health care issues the next president and Congress should prioritize, the future of the Affordable Care Act, as well as Americans’ views on the creation of a public health insurance option.

  • Gaps in Coverage Among People With Pre-Existing Conditions

    Issue Brief

    The American Health Care Act (AHCA), which has passed the House of Representatives, contains a controversial provision that would allow states to waive community rating in the individual insurance market. In this brief we estimate the number of people with pre-existing conditions who might be affected by such a policy.

  • Changing Rules for Workplace Wellness Programs: Implications for Sensitive Health Conditions

    Issue Brief

    With legislation pending in Congress that would substantially change federal rules governing workplace wellness programs, this brief reviews relevant data about employers' use of wellness programs and financial incentives and the incidence of certain sensitive or potentially stigmatized health conditions among adults covered under employer-sponsored health plans.

  • Data Note: 5 Misconceptions Surrounding the ACA

    Feature

    On the seventh anniversary of the passing of the Affordable Care Act, this Data Note highlights five of the most common misconceptions surrounding the 2010 health care law.

  • The Silent Affordability Crisis Facing Sick People

    From Drew Altman

    In this Axios column, Drew Altman shows that employer coverage for lower wage workers is much worse than ACA marketplace coverage for similar populations. It’s a bigger problem we need to talk about more, he says.

  • Kaiser Family Foundation/LA Times Survey Of Adults With Employer-Sponsored Insurance

    Report

    This KFF/LA Times survey explores the attitudes and experiences of adults with employer-sponsored health insurance (ESI), including views of their health plans and affordability challenges related to premiums, deductibles, and unexpected medical bills. The survey takes a special look at those in high deductible plans (including those paired with a health savings account or HSA), those with chronic health conditions, and those with lower incomes. It also examines factors related to health plan decision-making and cost-conscious health care shopping behaviors, as well as overall views of the U.S. health care system.

  • How Affordability of Employer Coverage Varies by Family Income

    Issue Brief

    This analysis looks at the share of family income people with employer-based coverage pay toward their premiums and out-of-pocket payments for medical care. The cost of employer sponsored health insurance—including premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs—has risen steadily over time.