Following a pledge by insurance companies to reduce the burden of prior authorizations, KFF's Health Tracking Poll examines the publics experience with the process. The poll finds that most view insurers' delays and denials as a problem, and few are aware of the newly announced pledge.| KFF
This tracker provides an overview of state laws/policies restricting minor access to gender affirming care and any associated litigation by state, identifying which groups of people are impacted in addition to minors, the types of penalties providers face, the status of legal challenges, and other key information.| KFF
This KFF analysis demonstrates the impact the exclusion of Planned Parenthood from Medicaid and the Title X funding freeze may have on low-income and uninsured individuals who get their family planning care at Planned Parenthood.| KFF
KFF Headquarters: 185 Berry St., Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94107 | Phone 650-854-9400 | KFF
Mental Health & Substance Use | KFF
KFF Headquarters: 185 Berry St., Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94107 | Phone 650-854-9400 | KFF
KFF Headquarters: 185 Berry St., Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94107 | Phone 650-854-9400 | KFF
KFF Headquarters: 185 Berry St., Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94107 | Phone 650-854-9400 | KFF
KFF Headquarters: 185 Berry St., Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94107 | Phone 650-854-9400 | KFF
Survey Snapshot: The Impact of TV’s Health Content: A Case Study of ER Viewers Working with a writer/producer of the NBC drama, ER, to get advance information about upcoming episodes, researchers at the Kaiser Family Foundation conducted 10 separate national random-sample telephone surveys of regular viewers to determine the impact of entertainment media as an…More| KFF
KFF's Health Tracking Poll looks at awareness and perceived impact of the tax and budget law signed by Trump in July 2025. Nearly half of the public says that they expect the new law to generally hurt them and their families, about twice the share who say it will generally help. The law itself remains largely unpopular, with many more people holding unfavorable views than favorable ones.| KFF
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected seniors and people with disabilities who rely on long-term services and supports (LTSS) to meet daily self-care and independent living needs and the direct care workers who provide these services. As the primary source of funding for home and community-based services (HCBS), state Medicaid programs have faced long-standing…More| KFF
The American Rescue Plan includes a provision to increase the federal matching rate (FMAP) for spending on Medicaid HCBS by 10 percentage points from April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022 provided states maintain state spending levels as of April 1, 2021. This brief discusses the proposal and provides state by state estimates of the potential effects of the policy change. It was updated on May 28 to include key points from the new CMS guidance about how states can access the funds and examples...| KFF
In response to workforce challenges, states have reported increasing Medicaid payment rates and other strategies to recruit and retain home-care workers.| KFF
This analysis and series of state fact sheets examine data looking at mental health and substance use disorder across states and capacity to meet residents’ during the COVID-19 pandemic.| KFF
This analysis examines the potential impacts on states and Medicaid enrollees of eliminating the 90% federal match rate for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expansion. Eliminating the federal match rate for adults in the Medicaid expansion could reduce Medicaid spending by nearly one-fifth ($1.9 trillion) over a 10-year period and up to nearly a quarter of all Medicaid enrollees (20 million people) could lose coverage.| KFF
This analysis examines the potential impacts on states and Medicaid enrollees of implementing a per capita cap on the federal share of Medicaid spending for the ACA Medicaid expansion population only, which is another proposal that has been discussed by members of Congress.| KFF
This brief provides a status update on prescription drug final rules advanced by the Trump Administration in its final months related to Medicare, importation, and 340B pricing for insulin and epinephrine, and an overview of key drug pricing proposals related to Medicare and prescription drug prices generally that were voted on but not enacted in the previous Congress that may return to the forefront of health policy discussions in the coming years.| KFF
The Trump Administration and Congress are moving quickly to pass legislation that could have significant implications for health coverage of older Americans. The House-passed reconciliation bill awaiting action by the full Senate, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, includes several provisions that would affect health insurance coverage and well-being of older adults ages 50 and older, including those who are covered by Medicare.| KFF
Expansion Eligibility and Cost Estimates for Non-Expansion States We calculate the number of people potentially eligible for Medicaid based on KFF 2019 estimates of the number of uninsured people who could be eligible for Medicaid if their state expanded plus estimates of people enrolled in Marketplace coverage who could become Medicaid eligible if their state…More| KFF
This issue brief analyzes enrollment and spending trends related to the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion ahead of the coronavirus pandemic and examines potential consequences of recent enrollment increases.| KFF
This issue brief examines how the ACA Medicaid expansion has affected racial disparities in health coverage, access to care, health outcomes, and economic outcomes.| KFF
A summary of key provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that addresses the domestic coronavirus outbreak, including paid sick leave, insurance coverage of coronavirus testing, nutrition assistance, and unemployment benefits.| KFF
This summary of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act highlights and summarizes health-related provisions focused on the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States and support for the global response.| KFF
Explore KFF’s policy research, polling, data and news on the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines, and state-level policies.| KFF
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) gives consumers the right to appeal private health plan claims denials and other adverse decisions, including the incorrect application of cost sharing, although limits apply. This issue brief describes consumer access to appeals and limits on appeal rights that have been adopted through federal regulations.| KFF
This brief analyzes federal transparency data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on claims denials and appeals for non-group qualified health plans (QHPs) offered on HealthCare.gov in 2023. It finds that HealthCare.gov insurers denied nearly one out of every five claims (19%) submitted for in-network services. Information about the reasons for denials is limited, and few consumers appeal claims denials.| KFF
This issue brief summarizes federal and state standards related to nursing home staffing prior to COVID-19 and builds on existing information by identifying changes to state minimum staffing requirements adopted since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also examine state legislative and regulatory actions since the onset of the pandemic that directly affect worker wages and training requirements.| KFF
This issue brief provides an overview of Medicaid spending and enrollment growth with a focus on state fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Findings are based on data provided by state Medicaid directors as part of the 22nd annual survey of Medicaid directors in states and the District of Columbia conducted by KFF and Health Management Associates (HMA). Findings examine changes in overall enrollment and spending growth.| KFF
This brief explores data about rural hospitals’ financial health and stability at a time when Congress is considering potential federal budget cuts. It examines the prevalence of rural hospitals, their characteristics and finances, federal support for these facilities, and the potential impact of reductions in Medicaid and Medicare spending that are under consideration.| KFF
This analysis details the number of people who would become uninsured from policy changes in the ACA Marketplaces and Medicaid. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that, taken together, these changes will result in 16 million more uninsured people in the year 2034 than would otherwise be the case.| KFF
This brief examines trends in large employers' use of wellness programs that collect personalized health information from workers, often with financial incentives, and the evolving federal standards governing such programs.| KFF
Annual family premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose 4% to average $22,221 this year, according to the 2021 benchmark KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey released today. On average, workers this year are contributing $5,969 toward the cost of family coverage, with employers paying the rest. This year’s survey also assesses how the pandemic affected workplace…More| KFF
KFF is tracking the Medicaid provisions in the 2025 federal budget bill, including new Medicaid work and verification requirements and a reduction in the expansion match rate for states that use their own funds to cover undocumented immigrants.| KFF
In response to prescription drug spending growth and heightened attention to drug prices, some policymakers have proposed allowing the federal government to negotiate the price of prescription drugs for Medicare and private payers. This brief describes the current status of drug price negotiation proposals, looks back at the history of proposals to give the federal government the authority to negotiate drug prices in Medicare, describes the negotiation provisions in key legislation (H.R. 3), ...| KFF
This data note examines the latest data and trends in the Medicare Part D coverage gap, where enrollees must pay a greater share of their prescription drug costs. The note includes data about how many Part D enrollees reached the coverage gap, their average out-of-pocket spending, the value of manufacturer discounts, and recent and proposed changes affecting out-of-pocket costs for Part D enrollees who reach the gap.| KFF
KFF is the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. Our mission is to serve as a nonpartisan source of information for policymakers, the media, the health policy community, and the public.| KFF
Key Findings An overwhelming majority of the public (90%) think there is a mental health crisis in the U.S. today, with most people saying the opioid epidemic, mental health issues in children and teenagers, and severe mental illness are at crisis level in the country. For parents, concerns about the long-term impacts of the pandemic…More| KFF
This issue brief presents data from the most recent tracking poll asking if people have ever visited a Planned Parenthood clinic for health care services and looks at the funding cuts Planned Parenthood is currently facing including Medicaid, Title X, and Teen Pregnancy Prevention funds.| KFF
South Carolina state health insurance coverage, uninsured rates 2010 - 2024, Medicaid eligibility levels, Medicaid family planning programs, coverage healthcare policies on contraception and fertility care.| KFF
This data note provides an overview of recent KFF polling on the public’s views of and connections to Medicaid, the federal-state government health insurance for certain low-income adults and children and long-term care program for adults 65 and older and younger adults with disabilities.| KFF
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KFF is tracking the Health Savings Accounts provisions included in the 2025 federal budget reconciliation bill. The House-passed bill includes several changes, while the proposed Senate bill does not address HSAs.| KFF
As Congress weighs potential cuts in federal Medicaid spending through budget reconciliation, one option under consideration is to limit the use of state taxes on providers. This brief uses data from KFF’s 2024-2025 survey of Medicaid directors to describe states’ current provider taxes and the federal rules governing them.| KFF
The survey finds nearly six in 10 people with health insurance experienced a problem using their insurance in the past year, with even larger shares reporting problems among people who are sick or who have mental health needs. It includes data for people with different types of coverage, including employer, Marketplace, Medicare and Medicaid, and also examines affordability issues and mental health access.| KFF
This survey shows that most adults feel unprepared for affording the cost of long-term care and support service, and just under half are not confident they will have the financial resources to pay for care they might need as they age. Most older adults have not taken financial or practical steps to plan for their potential future care needs.| KFF
This poll finds the public's health care priorities for Congress focus on reducing out-of-pocket costs, and concerns over inflation and the economy are top of mind as voters begin to think about the November midterm elections. The poll also examines views of the ACA and nursing homes.| KFF
Half of adults say they have difficulty affording monthly bills or are just able to afford household expenses without having money left over. These groups overwhelmingly rate the economy negatively and are more likely to want 2024 presidential candidates to discuss economic issues.| KFF
Explore KFF’s policy research, polling and news tracking the changes to health care costs over time and the challenges people face in affording health care coverage.| KFF
This poll finds two-thirds of the public view the "One Big Beautiful Bill" legislation unfavorably, and its favorability erodes further when people hear about its potential health impacts. As Congress debates changes to Medicaid and the ACA as part of the bill, each program's popularity is at a record high.| KFF
Nationwide, an estimated 52 million nonelderly adults live with mental illness, and Medicaid covers nearly one in three (29%) of them, or about 15 million adults. More than 1 in 3 Medicaid enrollees has a mental illness. Mental health treatment rates for Medicaid adults are higher than or similar to those with insurance.| KFF
KFF’s new interactive maps illustrate how many people are enrolled in Medicaid, including eligibility groups and the percentage enrolled, for each congressional district.| KFF
As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Senate recently passed a three-year extension (through 2025) of enhanced subsidies for people buying their own health coverage on the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces. The enhanced subsidies increase the amount of financial help available to those already eligible and also newly expand subsidies to middle-income people, many of whom were previously priced out of coverage. Here’s what to know about the likely renewal of these subsidies:| KFF
Arkansas is one of seven states for which CMS has approved a Section 1115 waiver to condition Medicaid eligibility on meeting work and reporting requirements and the first state to implement this type of waiver. The new requirements were phased in for most enrollees ages 30-49 beginning in June 2018, and for individuals ages 19-29 starting in January 2019. Unless exempt, enrollees must engage in 80 hours of work or other qualifying activities each month and must report their work or exemption...| KFF
The Trump Administration aimed to reshape the Medicaid program by newly approving Section 1115 demonstration waivers that imposed work and reporting requirements as a condition of Medicaid eligibility. However, courts struck down many of these approvals and the Supreme Court recently dismissed pending challenges in these cases. Available implementation data suggests that work requirements were confusing to enrollees and result in substantial coverage loss, including among eligible individuals.| KFF
KFF policy research, polling, and news about the Medicaid financing debate.| KFF
Work requirements in Medicaid have resurfaced as part of a broader legislative package of potential changes to Medicaid designed to significantly reduce federal Medicaid spending. This brief highlights five key facts about Medicaid work requirements, including the share of Medicaid enrollees who currently work, what research shows about the impact of work requirements, and the administrative burdens associated with implementing them.| KFF
Individual market insurers are expecting to return to consumers a record total of about $800 million in medical loss ratio rebates for 2018, a year in which the insurance companies posted their best annual financial performance under the Affordable Care Act to date. Financial results for 2018 suggest that insurers in the individual market are generally returning to or exceeding profitability levels seen before 2014, when ACA insurance market rules took effect, including the requirement to cov...| KFF
Explore KFF’s policy research, polling and news on employer-sponsored health insurance and other forms of private coverage.| KFF
Impacts on Coverage Studies find positive effects of Medicaid expansion on a range of outcomes related to insurance coverage (Figure 3). In addition to changes in uninsured rates and Medicaid coverage, both overall and for specific populations, studies also consider private coverage and waiver implications. Uninsured Rate and Medicaid Coverage Changes States expanding their Medicaid…More| KFF
Section 1115 Medicaid waivers can allow states to test new approaches in Medicaid that differ from what is required by federal law. This page tracks approved and pending waiver provisions (including expansions and restrictions) related to eligibility, benefits, and social determinants of health and other delivery system reforms.| KFF
Large majorities of the public hold favorable views of Medicare and Medicaid. While most people worry about Medicare’s sustainability for the future, they also view the debate in Washington about Medicare cuts as largely politics.| KFF
This literature review summarizes findings from 404 studies of the impact of state Medicaid expansions under the ACA published between January 2014 (when the coverage provisions of the ACA went into effect) and January 2020. It includes studies, analyses, and reports published by government, research, and policy organizations using data from 2014 or later. This body of research suggests that the expansion presents an opportunity for gains in coverage, improvements in access and financial secu...| KFF
This literature review report summarizes evidence from nearly 200 studies on the effects of Medicaid expansion published between February 2020 and March 2021. These studies generally find beneficial impacts of expansion across a range of areas.| KFF
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Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waivers offer states an avenue to test new approaches in Medicaid that differ from what is required by federal statute, so long as the approach is likely to “promote the objectives of the Medicaid program.” As with broader Medicaid policy, the future landscape of Section 1115 waivers depends on the outcome of the November 2024 presidential election as a new administration could focus on different priorities, rescind existing guidance, or withdraw alread...| KFF
In his latest column, President and CEO Drew Altman shows how proposals contained in the House reconciliation bill could result in a one-third reduction in ACA Marketplace enrollment. “While all eyes are on the big Medicaid cuts being proposed in the House,” he writes, “significant changes are also being proposed that together would dramatically reduce enrollment in the ACA Marketplaces.”| From Drew Altman Archive | KFF
In his latest column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman discusses the history of the battles over the ACA’s provisions that were designed to expand coverage for the uninsured, which helps explain the effort to cut federal funding for the Medicaid expansion today. The real underlying issues, he says, are the same divisions that have always plagued the debate about covering the uninsured.| From Drew Altman Archive | KFF
In his latest column, KFF’s President and CEO Drew Altman discusses how the low levels of trust in the CDC and FDA today seen in KFF’s recent survey findings present a danger should the country face another epidemic.| From Drew Altman Archive | KFF
In his latest column, president and CEO Drew Altman discusses why debate about extending the ACA enhanced tax credits set to expire this year has been slow to develop, and why it could matter to Republicans politically if the tax credits are not extended.| From Drew Altman Archive | KFF
In his latest column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman examines the implications of Secretary Kennedy’s reorganization of HHS and why it’s a sharp break from past efforts to reorganize the department.| From Drew Altman Archive | KFF
In his latest Beyond the Data column, KFF’s President and CEO Drew Altman discusses how difficult it will be for states to replace lost federal Medicaid funding should Congress make significant cuts.| From Drew Altman Archive | KFF
In a new column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman discusses how recent KFF focus groups with Trump voters on Medicaid show that voters were not expecting big Medicaid cuts from the Trump administration and worry about what the impact of potential cuts in federal Medicaid spending will be. As Drew writes: “Trump built a populist base of working people formerly in the Democratic party.” When details of specific Medicaid cuts emerge, tension could develop between “Trump and Republicans on...| From Drew Altman Archive | KFF
KFF’s president and CEO Drew Altman writes in a new column about the factors driving the biggest health policy decisions now—how to pay for tax cuts and whether President Trump wants another big fight about health care.| From Drew Altman Archive | KFF
In a new column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman discusses what President Trump’s decision to pull back the broad freeze in federal grant funding might portend for his response to future policies in health that prove controversial or unpopular.| From Drew Altman Archive | KFF
In his latest column, KFF’s President and CEO Drew Altman dissects a few key challenges facing journalism, observed over decades overseeing KFF’s health journalism and media programs, including launching KFF Health News as its Founding Publisher in 2009. He discusses the need for more coverage of state health policy decisions, how news can play a role in countering and not spreading misinformation, and the pros and cons of journalism awards, among others.| From Drew Altman Archive | KFF
In this column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman explores the state of consumer protections in health care and explains why, even with consumer frustration clear, Congress is unlikely to pursue major new health insurance protections but there could be some modest steps.| From Drew Altman Archive | KFF
In this column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman examines the data and history around adding work requirements to Medicaid and why the administrative burdens it imposes may offset any savings even for states that ideologically favor such an approach.| From Drew Altman Archive | KFF
In this column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman analyzes the serious access and affordability challenges facing people with mental health problems and suggests the issue could be one of a few candidates for bipartisan action in the next Congress.| From Drew Altman Archive | KFF
May 20, 2025| KFF
This issue brief updates prior KFF literature reviews by summarizing 24 studies published between April 2021 and December 2022 on the economic impact of Medicaid expansion on providers.| KFF
Explore KFF’s policy research, polling and news on health and health care disparities affecting people of color and underserved groups as well as policy efforts to advance racial equity in health and health care.| KFF
This infographic provides information and statistics about the opioid epidemic and Medicaid’s role in covering addiction treatment services.| KFF
As policymakers focus attention on proposals to lower prescription drug costs by allowing price negotiation or international reference pricing for a limited number of drugs, this analysis measures the share of total Medicare Part D and Part B prescription drug spending accounted for by top-selling drugs covered under each part.| KFF
Drug prices are at the center of health policy debates at both the state and federal levels. . Policymakers are currently debating significant changes to payment for prescription drugs through Medicare and commercial insurers that may also have implications for Medicaid and the Medicaid Prescription Drug Rebate Program (MDRP). This brief explains the MDRP to help policymakers and others understand how Medicaid pays for drugs and any potential consequences of policy changes for the program.| KFF
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 encourages non-expansion states to take up the expansion by providing an additional temporary fiscal incentive for states to newly implement the ACA Medicaid expansion. This brief provides illustrative estimates of the net fiscal benefit to states from these incentives relative to state costs under the expansion.| KFF
Recent federal legislation, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, amended by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, authorizes a 6.2 percentage point increase in federal Medicaid matching funds to help states respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This issue brief answers key questions about the new federal funds, drawing on two sets of frequently asked questions about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and CARES Act issued by the Centers for Medicare and M...| KFF
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to renewed interest among policymakers, the media, residents, and their families in nursing home regulation and oversight, as residents and staff are at increased risk of infection due to the highly transmissible nature of the coronavirus, the congregate nature of facility settings, and the close contact that many workers have with patients. This issue brief answers key questions about nursing home oversight under Medicare and Medicaid and explains how federal po...| KFF
This brief provides an overview of Medicare spending and financing, based on the most recent historical and projected data from the Medicare Trustees and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The brief highlights trends in Medicare spending and key drivers of spending growth, including higher enrollment, growth in health care costs, and increases in payments to Medicare Advantage plans.| KFF
This chart collection draws on recent KFF poll findings to provide an in-depth look at the public's attitudes toward prescription drugs and their prices. Results include Americans' opinions on drug affordability, pharmaceutical companies, and various potential measures that could lower prices, including the Inflation Reduction Act.| KFF
This page displays an interactive map of the current status of state decisions on the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion. Additional Medicaid expansion resources are listed (with links) below the map.| KFF
Employer-sponsored insurance covers 154 million nonelderly people1. To provide a current snapshot of employer-sponsored health benefits, KFF conducts an annual survey of private and non-federal public employers with three or more workers. This is the 26th Employer Health Benefits Survey (EHBS) and reflects employer-sponsored health benefits in 2024. HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND WORKER CONTRIBUTIONS The…More| KFF
With the enhanced subsidies for enrollees in ACA Marketplace plans set to expire at the end of 2025, this calculator illustrates how much out-of-pocket premiums would increase if Congress does not extend the subsidies. It shows the projected premium increases based on incomes, zip code, family size and ages based on 2025 ACA Marketplace premiums.| KFF
Insurers estimate they will pay $1.1 billion in Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) rebates in 2024 to select individuals and employers that purchase their health coverage, according to a KFF analysis of preliminary data reported to state regulators. The estimated rebate for 2024 is larger than rebates issued in most prior years. Nearly $12 billion in rebates have been issued since 2012.| KFF
Nearly 1 in 4 Medicaid enrollees are eligible for the program because they are ages 65 and older or have a disability, and they have higher per-enrollee costs than other enrollees. Proposals to limit federal spending on Medicaid may create incentives for states to drop or reduce their eligibility or coverage for seniors and people with disabilities in response to fewer federal revenues. Considering the proposed reductions in Medicaid spending, this issue brief describes Medicaid eligibility p...| KFF
Amid renewed interest in Medicaid work requirements as part of a broader legislative package designed to significantly reduce federal Medicaid spending, KFF has updated its analysis of the work status and demographic characteristics of Medicaid enrollees with the latest data. Data show that, in 2023, 92% of Medicaid adults were either working full or part-time (64%), or were not working due to barriers to work such as caregiving responsibilities, illness or disability, or school attendance --...| KFF
Medicaid financing is complex. This policy watch explains how Medicaid financing works, describes various conservative proposals to change Medicaid financing, and explores the implications of those changes for states and enrollees.| KFF
In his latest column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman explains why Medicaid, despite former President Donald Trump's silence on the topic, warrants greater attention given the potential for drastic changes or cuts to it should Republicans win control in the election.| KFF
