State health officials in Texas reported that the number of residents who enrolled in Affordable Care Act health care plans for the 2026 coverage year reached a record high in the state, even as enrollment declined nationwide, according to newly released data.
The data showed that more Texans selected Affordable Care Act marketplace plans during the latest open enrollment period than in any previous year since the law took effect.
Enrollment records indicated that Texas increased its total number of Affordable Care Act plan participants for 2026 compared with the prior enrollment year.
Federal marketplace figures documented that overall national Affordable Care Act enrollment decreased for 2026 compared with the previous year.
The latest enrollment report identified Texas as an outlier among states that experienced stable or reduced Affordable Care Act participation for the 2026 plan year.
Health policy analysts cited in the data release noted that Texas recorded its highest Affordable Care Act enrollment at a time when many other states reported lower sign-up totals.
Officials stated that the new Texas enrollment numbers for 2026 surpassed all earlier Affordable Care Act enrollment periods measured in the state.
The report attributed the Texas figures and the national totals to enrollment data compiled from the federal health insurance marketplace.
Regulators confirmed that the 2026 Texas enrollment data included individuals and families who purchased qualified health plans through Affordable Care Act exchanges during the most recent open enrollment window.
The data release indicated that the Affordable Care Act marketplace remained a significant source of private health insurance coverage for Texas residents entering 2026.
