Proposed Rule Could Undermine ACA Coverage
Last week, the Medicare Rights Center submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on proposed changes to Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans.
CMS typically updates ACA policies each year. For 2027, the proposals include several that could limit access to affordable coverage, increase administrative and choice barriers, and harm consumers. As outlined below, our comments focused on these provisions, drawing upon our experience helping people shop for and navigate coverage.
Rolling Back Plan Standardization
Within the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM), CMS is proposing to eliminate standardized plan requirements and lift restrictions on the number of non-standardized plans insurers can offer. Although states could impose their own limits, such actions are not guaranteed, and at best would create a patchwork system.
We oppose these proposals and urged CMS to withdraw them. In our experience with similar changes in Medicare Advantage (MA), people are unable to effectively evaluate their coverage options and select the best plan for their unique circumstances when faced with too many choices. Remaking the federal Marketplace in this image would replicate these problems.
https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/03/19/proposed-rule-could-undermine-aca-coverage
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