Except nothing about it is affordable.

A 2023 study from the Paragon Institute found that ACA individual market plans have steadily lost value compared to employer-sponsored insurance. The report analyzed plans from 2014 to 2023 and identified three key areas of decline:

Shrinking provider networks: Fewer doctors and hospitals accept ACA plans, limiting access.

Higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs: Many plans now require thousands in upfront spending before coverage kicks in.

Reduced benefit generosity: Coverage for services like mental health, specialty care, and prescriptions has narrowed.

“ACA individual market health insurance value has declined over time compared to employer-sponsored insurance… The availability of provider networks with generous benefits, the cost-sharing structure, and the comprehensiveness of coverage have all deteriorated.”

https://paragoninstitute.org/private-health/its-not-just-the-prices-aca-plans-have-declined-in-quality-over-the-past-decade/