The Trump administration is exploring whether health insurers could offer loans to consumers who cannot afford to pay high deductibles under Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, according to federal officials.

The proposal comes as approximately one-third of Americans carry medical debt, creating financial barriers to accessing healthcare even for those with insurance coverage. Many consumers enrolled in ACA plans face deductibles of several thousand dollars before their insurance coverage begins paying for medical services.

Federal regulators are in discussions with insurance companies about potential lending programs that would help consumers manage upfront healthcare costs. The conversations focus on whether insurers could extend credit to policyholders who struggle to meet their deductible requirements when seeking medical care.

The initiative reflects ongoing challenges with healthcare affordability despite expanded insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. High-deductible health plans have become increasingly common as insurers and employers seek to control premium costs by shifting more financial responsibility to consumers.

Details about how such lending programs would operate, including interest rates, repayment terms, and eligibility criteria, have not been specified. Insurance industry representatives have not yet indicated whether companies would be willing to take on the additional financial risk of lending to consumers already facing medical debt challenges.