Projected 10-Year PPACA Health Insurance Costs Rise Slightly In 2016, Reach $1.34 Trillion

Projected net 10-year costs for the health insurance provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) for the period 2016 to 2026 were $136 billion higher (or 0.1% higher) in March 2016 ($1.34 trillion) than projected in March 2015 ($1.21 trillion). Higher projected ten-year Medicaid costs, up 17%, from $847 billion in March 2015 to $993 billion in March 2016, are a key driver of the increase. The projected net cost includes the outlay for subsidies; federal matching funds for Medicaid expansion enrollees, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) plans; and small . . .