Why Bronze ACA Plans Are Growing in 2026
Bronze ACA plan enrollment is rising sharply across the United States in 2026. Texas recorded the largest increase, while West Virginia saw the steepest decline. These findings come from CMS data analyzed by KFF, offering a state-by-state picture of how the marketplace is shifting.
Moreover, this shift signals a bigger change in how Americans are choosing health coverage. As premiums climb and enhanced tax credits expire, more enrollees are moving toward lower-cost bronze options.
National Enrollment Trends at a Glance
Nationally, bronze plan enrollment jumped 26% — from 7.3 million in 2025 to 9.2 million in 2026. Meanwhile, total ACA enrollment fell 5%, settling at 23.1 million. Consequently, the share of ACA enrollees holding bronze plans rose from 30% in 2025 to 40% in 2026.
What Changed Between 2025 and 2026?
Two key factors drove this shift. First, enhanced premium tax credits that had made silver and gold plans affordable expired. Second, insurers raised premiums on higher-tier plans. Together, these forces pushed many enrollees to downgrade to bronze coverage. Several state-run marketplaces confirmed this pattern directly.
States With the Highest Bronze Plan Growth
The following states recorded the strongest bronze enrollment gains. Each figure reflects the change from 2025 to 2026.
Top 10 States by Bronze Enrollment Growth
Texas led all states with an 84% increase, adding nearly 595,000 new bronze enrollees. Its 2026 bronze enrollment reached 1,299,290, up from 704,783 in 2025.
Mississippi followed with a 77% jump, growing from 63,935 to 113,435 enrollees. New Jersey came in third at +60%, rising from 78,119 to 124,678.
Alabama grew 58%, reaching 198,749 bronze plan members. Rhode Island posted a 51% gain, with enrollment climbing from 8,839 to 13,386.
Additionally, Wyoming grew 41%, Georgia 39%, Tennessee 38%, Louisiana 34%, and Pennsylvania 33%. Kansas also matched Pennsylvania’s 33% growth rate, going from 68,216 to 90,801 enrollees.
Mid-Tier States Seeing Steady Gains
Several large states posted solid, mid-range growth. Florida, the second-largest bronze market by volume, grew 19% — from 1,405,338 to 1,677,199 enrollees. Similarly, California added over 106,000 bronze members, a 23% increase.
Furthermore, states such as Utah (+27%), Missouri (+25%), Arizona (+30%), and Delaware (+30%) all showed meaningful progress. North Dakota, Idaho, Nevada, and New Hampshire each grew between 20–23%.
Other Notable Performers
Ohio added nearly 29,000 enrollees (+11%). Michigan and Wisconsin each grew 11% as well. North Carolina saw a 10% rise, while Virginia and Montana both posted 6% gains. Smaller states like Vermont, Connecticut, and Illinois grew modestly at 3%.
States Where Bronze Enrollment Slipped
Not every state followed the national trend. Five states and DC saw bronze enrollment decline between 2025 and 2026.
Oregon dropped 2%, losing about 1,600 enrollees. New York fell 5%, while Indiana declined 8%. Washington posted a steeper 16% drop. West Virginia recorded the largest decline at -19%, falling from 26,372 to 21,474 bronze enrollees.
Why Did These States Decline?
State-specific factors likely explain these drops. Some states have more robust subsidies or Medicaid expansion programs that keep enrollees on higher-tier plans. Others may have introduced state-level premium assistance that reduced the financial pressure to downgrade.
What Is Driving the Shift to Bronze Plans?
The expiration of enhanced premium tax credits is the primary driver. These credits, introduced under the American Rescue Plan and extended through the Inflation Reduction Act, made silver and gold plans significantly more affordable. Without them, many enrollees face higher monthly premiums.
As a result, bronze plans — which carry lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs — become the more accessible choice. This trade-off helps enrollees stay insured, even if their coverage is less comprehensive.
Additionally, several state-run marketplaces have directly confirmed a link between rising premiums and the move to bronze plans. Enrollees are making practical decisions to maintain some coverage rather than going uninsured.
Key Takeaways for Payers and Enrollees
The 2026 bronze enrollment data tells a clear story. Affordability concerns are reshaping the ACA marketplace. Therefore, payers must respond with competitive bronze plan designs that balance low premiums with reasonable access to care.
For enrollees, moving to a bronze plan may reduce monthly costs. However, it also increases exposure to high deductibles and cost-sharing. Consequently, understanding the total cost of coverage — not just the premium — is critical before making a plan selection.
As the market continues to evolve, tracking bronze plan growth by state will remain an important indicator of how premium changes ripple through the healthcare system.
