This year, there are two landmark changes in health plan policies that will affect the U.S. insured population. First, starting January 1, we had the end of the premium supports for many consumers getting insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace. And in November of 2026, the work requirements for Medicaid will go live (see States Project Systemic Challenges To Implement Infrastructure Supporting Upcoming Medicaid Work Requirements). With these seismic shifts ahead, it is not surprising that some of the most read resources by executives in the field focused on health plans and Medicaid.

With the wrapping of the first month without the premium supports, we have an initial look at the effects. Recent data from CMS shows…