The “individual market” is a vital source of coverage for Americans who cannot get health insurance through their employer and do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare, including self-employed entrepreneurs, gig economy workers, freelancers, small-business workers, early retirees, and others. Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, millions of Americans have gained access to comprehensive and more affordable health coverage in the individual market, helping drive the uninsured rate to historic lows. In the intervening years, shifts in policy at the federal level have alternately increased and decreased access to individual market coverage.
As federal ACA changes create barriers to enrollment starting in 2025, state policymakers have a range of policy options to help mitigate disruptions and safeguard their residents’ access to affordable and adequate individual market coverage. The interactive maps below highlight state policies that foster a broad and stable individual market.