As a result, states are in an excellent position to adopt policies that increase coverage and improve affordability, both of which are critical steps that would improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities. This issue brief outlines ways in which states can use the ARP as a starting point for additional reforms, as well as how the changes made to the ACA give states additional flexibility and additional federal funding to help offset state costs in implementing these reforms. Not only are these reforms vital to further improving affordability, but they are also critical to ensuring that health care expansions are sustainable. Moreover, they should work to lower the underlying prices in the commercial health care market, given that the ARP’s changes are an important step to improving affordability but do not address the underlying reason why premiums and other health care expenses are often too expensive. Specifically, states can consider additional financial assistance to lower deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs for people with lower incomes. 2 These efforts-which include public options and other related reforms to lower prices in the private market-are a critical piece of broader efforts to address the coverage and affordability barriers across the health care system.
Multiple states have already implemented or are advancing proposals to improve health care affordability and increase enrollment in the individual market.
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