In an analysis of marketplace coverage, cost, and care utilization, CHRT finds that since insurance has been expanded in Michigan under the ACA, cost-related barriers to care and delaying care have been reduced significantly. This brief presents findings on how health care access changed in Michigan with ACA implementation, using data from CHRT’s 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2015 Cover Michigan Surveys.

The researchers conclude that in its first few years, the ACA was successful in reducing financial barriers to care. Compared with two years prior to the ACA’s implementation there was an 8 percent drop in the proportion of all Michigan adults having problems paying medical bills, the analysis found.