The Tortuous Journey of the Health Insurance Marketplace

Abstract

This article examines the past, present, and future of individual market policies in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It does so, first, by reviewing the law's goals, scope, and set of individual market policies, collectively called the Health Insurance Marketplace. The Marketplace, along with the ACA's Medicaid expansion, was designed to fill in gaps to provide all Americans with accessible, affordable coverage. Second, it reviews evidence on the law's impact to date, including changes under a new administration. Third, it discusses the three main policy options for the Marketplace: do nothing, build on it, or replace it. Lastly, it discusses the factors which could determine which pathway policy makers follow.

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