Healthcare Policy
Texas Healthcare Policy 2026
Medicaid expansion status, ACA coverage, uninsured rates, and how healthcare shapes the 2026 elections in Texas.
No
Medicaid Expanded
17.1%
Uninsured Rate
2,000,000
ACA Marketplace Enrollees
Federal
Exchange Type
Key Healthcare Provisions
| Medicaid Expansion (ACA) | No |
| Reproductive Healthcare | Banned (total ban) |
| Mental Health Parity | Limited parity |
| Drug Pricing Policy | Not regulated |
Healthcare System Overview
Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation at 17.1%. Around 1.5 million Texans are in the Medicaid coverage gap. Texas has refused Medicaid expansion and has repeatedly attempted to opt out of ACA provisions. Despite this, 2 million Texans have ACA marketplace coverage.
2026 Political Impact
Texas is the largest holdout on Medicaid expansion. Healthcare is increasingly a competitive issue as the state\'s population grows younger and more diverse. Beto O\'Rourke made healthcare expansion a central issue.