My POV (from GA) is that this is going to be highly state-dependent. For example, the first couple years of the ACA there were N vendors providing ACA plans ma

My POV (from GA) is that this is going to be highly state-dependent. For example, the first couple years of the ACA there were N vendors providing ACA plans materially similar to small group plans. Today, most of those vendors have abandoned the individual market. So the quality of plans/carriers available to ACA purchasers vs small groups is vastly different today. In 2015 it was the case the $500 in the individual market was roughly equivalent to $500 in the small group market. Today, $500 (or $1000) spent in the individual market won't buy you the same coverage as $500 in the small group market.