Urban is a leader in providing evidence and solutions on the issues that affect the well-being of people and communities. Explore our insights.
Artificial Intelligence
Family and Financial Well-Being
Health Policy
Housing and Communities
Justice and Safety
Nonprofits and Philanthropy
Equity and Community Impact
Research to Action
Tax and Income Supports
Technology and Data
Upward Mobility
Work, Education, and Labor
Urban across the country
Explore All Topics
Trending
Creating an Affordable Future for AmericaThe American Affordability TrackerLocal finance and growthTax Policy Center Tariff TrackerHousing affordability and supply Artificial IntelligenceUpward mobility
Urban applies a range of approaches to examine today’s challenges and identify policy solutions that work for people. See how we work.
2025 Impact Report
Research and data analysis
Convening
Data tools and modeling
Strategic advising and assistance
Program evaluation
Community engagement
Collaborate With Us
Urban is a trusted source for changemakers seeking to create a world where everyone has the opportunity and power to thrive. Learn more about us.
About Urban
Mission and Values
Our Story
Collaborate With Us
Our People
Careers
Support Urban
Organizational Principles
For the Media
Contact Us
Urban values sharing our insights widely and connecting with partners across the country. Learn how you can stay informed and support us.
Collaborate With Us
Subscribe for Email Updates
Support Urban's Work
Attend an Event
Explore Careers
Get Involved
For the Media
Contact Us
See all newsletters
Donate
Research and Evidence
Urban is a leader in providing evidence and solutions on the issues that affect the well-being of people and communities. Explore our insights.
Artificial Intelligence
Family and Financial Well-Being
Health Policy
Housing and Communities
Justice and Safety
Nonprofits and Philanthropy
Equity and Community Impact
Research to Action
Tax and Income Supports
Technology and Data
Upward Mobility
Work, Education, and Labor
Urban across the country
Explore All Topics
Trending
Creating an Affordable Future for AmericaThe American Affordability TrackerLocal finance and growthTax Policy Center Tariff TrackerHousing affordability and supply Artificial IntelligenceUpward mobility
What We Do
Urban applies a range of approaches to examine today’s challenges and identify policy solutions that work for people. See how we work.
2025 Impact Report
Research and data analysis
Convening
Data tools and modeling
Strategic advising and assistance
Program evaluation
Community engagement
Collaborate With Us
EventsAbout
Urban is a trusted source for changemakers seeking to create a world where everyone has the opportunity and power to thrive. Learn more about us.
About Urban
Mission and Values
Our Story
Collaborate With Us
Our People
Careers
Support Urban
Organizational Principles
For the Media
Contact Us
Connect
Urban values sharing our insights widely and connecting with partners across the country. Learn how you can stay informed and support us.
Collaborate With Us
Subscribe for Email Updates
Support Urban's Work
Attend an Event
Explore Careers
Get Involved
For the Media
Contact Us
Urban Wire
Data Tools
Features
More
In Their Own Words
Evidence in Action Podcast
Data@Urban
Data Catalog
Initiatives
Tax Policy Center
WorkRise
Commission on AI and the Future of the American Workforce
Upward Mobility Initiative
Housing Matters
Prison and Jail Research Hub
Housing Finance Innovation Forum
National Apprenticeship Resource Hub
Student Upward Mobility Initiative
DC Education Research Collaborative
Local Data for Equitable Communities
Policies for Action
Welfare Rules Database
National Center for Charitable Statistics
NCCS Data Archive
Career and Technical Education CoLab
National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership
Social Genome Project
Local Workforce System Guide
Pay for Success
See all newsletters
Donate
Brief Who Gains and Who Loses under the Better Care Reconciliation Act
Linda J. Blumberg,Matthew Buettgens,John Holahan,Gordon B. Mermin,Philip Stallworth
The proposed Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) would repeal large portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including most of its sources of revenue, and it would significantly change the Medicaid program and the private nongroup insurance market. We use the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center Microsimulation Model and the Urban Institute Health Policy Center’s Health Insurance Policy Simulation Model to analyze the effects of the bill and to allocate changes in taxes and federal health benefits across families grouped by income. We find that the BCRA’s changes to federal taxes and health care benefits would be very regressive: taking both tax reductions and benefit reductions into account, the average high-income family would be significantly better off, and the average low-income family would be significantly worse off. The average family with less than $10,000 of income in 2026 would be $2,550 worse off, a net reduction of more than 60 percent of the family’s income. The average family with more than $200,000 of income in 2026 would be $5,420 better off, a net increase of 1 percent of the family’s income. Most of the gain for high-income families would be concentrated among families with incomes above $1,000,000. The average gain for this group would be $49,000, a net increase of 1.5 percent of income.
Research and EvidenceHealth PolicyTax and Income Supports
ExpertiseTaxes and the EconomyHealth Care Coverage, Costs, and AccessAging, Medicare, and Long-Term Care
TagsHealth insuranceHealth equityMedicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program