Alec Mendoza, Policy Advisor, Health and Economic Mobility
For many Texas households, the state’s economic growth is being tempered by the rising price of health care. Recent longitudinal polling and market data indicate that health care affordability has transitioned from a secondary issue to the primary financial anxiety for a majority of the state and national population. According to the December 2025 Texas…
Final open enrollment figures show that close to 4.2 million Texans enrolled in an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan for 2026. That total exceeds Texas’ 2025 enrollment of just under 4 million and represents an increase of more than 200,000 enrollees year-over-year. In a year defined by contraction elsewhere, Texas posted the largest numerical gain…
Newly released data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) show that Texas ACA plan selections have already reached a new record, with 4,113,465 Texans selecting a plan. As of Jan. 3, selections for 2026 plans exceeded last year’s total by nearly 150,000 people, with 12 days still remaining in the open enrollment…
Recent findings from the KFF 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey show that the increasing price of health insurance is putting a strain on employers and employees. Premiums have climbed steadily, eroding gains from wage growth and threatening the affordability of employer-sponsored coverage. Increasing Prices, Shrinking Paychecks Nationally, the average annual employer-sponsored health insurance premiums in…
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace remains a vital source of affordable health coverage for millions of Texans, especially in a state that continues to lead the nation in uninsured residents. As we approach the 2026 plan year, premiums are expected to rise, but most Texans will still find low-priced (and even free) coverage options…
Texas 2036’s 9th Texas Voter Poll highlights continued concerns about the state’s health care system. Texans say the health care system is too pricey, is too confusing, and doesn’t reflect their everyday needs. Voters from across the state want lawmakers to make affordability and access a top priority. Rising prices, unclear costs, and a lack…