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How Medicare Negotiated Drug Prices Compare to Other Countries | KFF
This analysis finds that Medicare's negotiated prices for 10 high-expenditure prescription drugs are lower than what private Medicare drug plans had been paying, but still much higher than the prices available in 11 other wealthy nations.. It is available on the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker.
Myths About Raw Milk and Vaccines - KFF Health Misinformation Monitor | KFF
This volume explores narratives linking vaccines to autism and misleading claims about the benefits of raw milk. It examines how trust and perceived expertise influence misinformation and AI's role in spreading false mental health information.
A New Reproductive Health Landscape? Possible Actions that Could be Undertaken During the Second Trump Administration | KFF
This brief reviews some of the possible actions of the incoming Trump administration and new Congress based on campaign statements, policies implemented by the first Trump administration, and proposals forwarded by allied conservative think tanks and antiabortion advocacy groups.
Hospital Margins Rebounded in 2023, But Rural Hospitals and Those With High Medicaid Shares Were Struggling More Than Others | KFF
This data note examines trends in hospital margins from 2018 through 2023 and how operating margins varied across different types of hospitals in 2023. It shows the industry overall experienced a rebound in 2023 after margins fell sharply the previous year, though some hospitals – particularly those in rural areas and those who see many Medicaid patients – continue to struggle.
What’s Next for State Abortion Ballot Initiatives? | KFF
This brief examines what the November election and prior efforts to enshrine abortion rights at the ballot box mean for those states and what’s next, including the future of abortion restrictions in states where voters enshrined abortion rights where abortion was banned or restricted, as well as those that do not have abortion bans.
Potential Health Policy Administrative Actions in the Second Trump Administration | KFF
Potential health policy administrative actions under the incoming Trump administration based on campaign positions and statements by President-elect Trump, President Trump’s record during his first administration, and expected actions that would reverse or modify regulations or guidance issued by the Biden administration
Donor Government Funding for Family Planning Reports | KFF
These reports track funding levels of the donor governments that collectively provide the bulk of international assistance for family planning activities and is part of an effort by KFF that began after the London Summit on Family Planning in 2012. It presents their bilateral assistance to low- and middle-income countries as well as contributions to UNFPA.
News Influencers, Opioid Disparities, and AI Bias in Healthcare - KFF Health Misinformation Monitor | KFF
This edition examines the role of news influencers in spreading misinformation, misleading narratives about harm reduction amid disparities in opioid overdose, and biases in artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare.
Donor Government Funding for Family Planning in 2023 | KFF
This report provides an analysis of donor government funding to address family planning in low- and middle-income countries in 2023, which totaled US$1.47 billion, and was an increase of 7% (US$101 million) compared to the 2022 amount (US$1.37 billion); although, it was still below the peak level reached in 2019 (US$1.58 billion). The overall increase was due to increased bilateral funding from most donor governments; multilateral funding (contributions to UNFPA’s core resources) declined slightly.
State and Federal Reproductive Rights and Abortion Litigation Tracker | KFF
This State and Federal Reproductive Rights Litigation tracker aggregates information about ongoing litigation regarding abortion bans and restrictions, FDA approval of Mifepristone (an abortion pill) and other federal regulations.
Medicare Spending was 27% More for People who Disenrolled from Medicare Advantage than for Similar People in Traditional Medicare | KFF
This analysis looks at traditional Medicare spending among people who choose to disenroll from Medicare Advantage and obtain coverage under traditional Medicare during the annual Medicare open enrollment period. It compares their traditional Medicare spending (Parts A and B) in the year following disenrollment to similar people who were continuously covered by traditional Medicare, using data from the Medicare Beneficiary Summary File (MBSF) for 2021 and 2022.
Medicare Spending was 27% More for People who Disenrolled from Medicare Advantage than Similar People in Traditional Medicare | KFF
This analysis looks at traditional Medicare spending among people who choose to disenroll from Medicare Advantage and obtain coverage under traditional Medicare during the annual Medicare open enrollment period. It compares their traditional Medicare spending (Parts A and B) in the year following disenrollment to similar people who were continuously covered by traditional Medicare, using data from the Medicare Beneficiary Summary File (MBSF) for 2021 and 2022.
With or Without ACA Repeal, ACA and Medicaid Cuts are Looming | KFF
In this JAMA Health Forum post, Executive Vice President Larry Levitt explores why the incoming Trump administration and Republican majorities in Congress are likely to pursue budget cuts in Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act and why such efforts are likely to boost the number of uninsured Americans.
Medicare Spent an Average of 27% More on People Who Switched from Medicare Advantage to Traditional Medicare Compared to Those Who Were Only in Traditional Medicare | KFF
A new KFF analysis finds higher Medicare spending among people who switched from Medicare Advantage to traditional Medicare than for similar beneficiaries who were in traditional Medicare all along. Medicare spent an average of 27% more on such beneficiaries, according to the analysis, which examined health costs in traditional Medicare for both groups in the<span class="readmore-ellipsis">…</span><a href="https://www.kff.org/medicare/press-release/medicare-spent-an-average-of-27-more-on-people-who-switched-from-medicare-advantage-to-traditional-medicare-compared-to-those-who-were-only-in-traditional-medicare/" class="see-more light-beige no-float inline-readmore">More</a></p>
The U.S. & The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria | KFF
This updated fact sheet examines the U.S. role in the Global Fund, an independent, multilateral financing entity that raises significant new resources to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria in low- and middle- income countries.
Health Care Experiences of Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Adults | KFF
A new issue brief based on focus groups conducted by KFF among NHPI adults living in Hawaii and the continental U.S. highlights barriers NHPI people face when accessing health care, including geographic isolation, limited system capacity, and language access. In their own words, participants describe both positive and negative experiences in health care settings and discuss concerns about mental health in their communities.
Key Data on Health and Health Care for Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander People | KFF
Among NHPI people, there is significant variation in key factors that influence health, including health coverage, income, and homeownership, with Marshallese people faring the worst across all examined measures. Data gaps prevent the ability to fully identify and understand health disparities for NHPI people. Among available data, NHPI people fare worse than White people for the majority of measures.
Medicaid Expansion is a Red and Blue State Issue | KFF
With President-elect Trump returning to the White House and Republicans controlling Congress, significant changes to the Medicaid expansion are expected. This data note provides key facts on the Medicaid expansion, highlighting the financial and coverage impacts of any changes across states that voted for President-elect Trump and those that voted for Vice President Harris.
Proposed Coverage of Anti-Obesity Drugs in Medicare and Medicaid Would Expand Access to Millions of People with Obesity | KFF
This policy watch examines the implications of new proposed regulations that would allow Medicare and require Medicaid to cover drugs used to treat obesity, including a relatively new class of highly effective but costly drugs known as GLP-1s.
What to Know Ahead of the Supreme Court Case on Youth Access to Gender Affirming Care | KFF
This brief provides background on gender affirming care and state bans, explains the legal challenge to the Tennessee law, and explores the potential Supreme Court ruling and impact on access across the country.
Concerns Over Fluoride in Water and Free Speech Violations - KFF Health Misinformation Monitor | KFF
This volume of the Monitor explores the growing opposition to water fluoridation, how misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines is influencing public health policies and trust in health authorities, and the balance between free speech and mitigating health misinformation.
Coverage of Dental Services in Traditional Medicare | KFF
In Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rules from recent years, the administration made changes to Medicare payment policies for certain dental services, in addition to other payment and policy changes. The 2023 rule clarified CMS’s interpretation of when medically necessary dental services can be covered and codified certain payment policies, and the 2023, 2024, and 2025 rules define new clinical scenarios for which Medicare payment can be made for dental services. This brief describes current law related to coverage and payment for dental services under Medicare and the rationale for changes to current policy, explains changes to dental payment and coverage included in these rules, and discusses the impact on Medicare and beneficiaries. While these changes are projected to benefit a small number of Medicare beneficiaries, they do not represent a broad expansion of Medicare coverage of dental services.
The ground has shifted under PEPFAR: what does that mean for its future? | KFF
In this viewpoint article in the Journal of the International AIDS Society, KFF's Jennifer Kates and co-authors Brian Honermann and Gregorio Millett of amfAR explore the implications of shifts in the global economic and political environment for the future of PEPFAR, the U.S government's global HIV program created under President George W. Bush and credited with changing the trajectory of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic.
How Pending Health-Related Lawsuits Could be Impacted by the Incoming Trump Administration | KFF
This brief provides an overview of current lawsuits in health policy including preventive services, abortion care, gender affirming care, Medicare drug price negotiations, nursing home staffing rules, private coverage consumer protections, and protections and health coverage for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients; how they may be affected by the incoming Trump administration; and the implications of their potential outcomes.
Dec. 11 Virtual Event: GOING IT ALONE | KFF
More than 16 million Americans are living alone while growing old – an unprecedented number. Yet surprisingly little is known about their experiences. This slice of the older population has significant health issues: Nearly 4 in 10 seniors living alone have vision or hearing loss, difficulty caring for themselves and living independently, problems with cognition,<span class="readmore-ellipsis">…</span><a href="https://www.kff.org/other/event/dec-11-virtual-event-going-it-alone/" class="see-more light-beige no-float inline-readmore">More</a></p>
Contraceptive Experiences, Coverage, and Preferences: Findings from the 2024 KFF Women's Health Survey | KFF
This brief offers a close examination of women's experiences with contraception, insurance coverage, contraceptive preferences, and interactions with the health care system. We also explore the influence and reach of contraceptive information on social media.
State Reported Efforts to Address Health Disparities: A 50 State Review | KFF
This analysis focuses on current state efforts, many of which were implemented during or after 2020, to address health disparities and advance health equity based on a review of publicly available materials from all 50 states and DC. In addition, case study interviews were conducted with 14 stakeholders in three states (California, North Dakota, and Michigan) to increase understanding of the factors contributing to success of these state initiatives, lessons learned, and potential implications for other states.
Medicare Part D in 2025: A First Look at Prescription Drug Plan Availability, Premiums, and Cost Sharing | KFF
Medicare Part D is a voluntary outpatient prescription drug benefit for people with Medicare provided through private plans, including stand-alone prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans that offer drug coverage. This analysis provides an overview of Medicare Part D plan availability, premiums, and cost sharing in 2025 and key trends over time.
Expected Immigration Policies Under a Second Trump Administration and Their Health and Economic Implications | KFF
This issue brief discusses key changes to immigration policies that may take place under the second Trump administration based on his previous record and campaign statements, and their implications.
Medicaid Work Requirements: Current Waiver and Legislative Activity | KFF
With Donald Trump returning to the presidency and Republican control of the Senate and House, work requirements are likely to be back on the agenda—through federal legislation or Medicaid waivers. This issue brief highlights the history of Medicaid work requirements, describes recent state activity to advance work requirement policies, and recaps the landscape of work requirement approvals and pending requests at the end of President Trump’s first term.
How HHS, FDA, and CDC Can Influence U.S. Vaccine Policy | KFF
This policy brief highlights areas in which HHS, FDA, and CDC have authority to shape U.S. vaccine policy with a specific focus on vaccine approvals and recommendations for the public. Ultimately, while there are limits, federal officials have significant authority to influence and alter vaccine policy, which could affect vaccine availability, views about vaccines, and vaccine use in the U.S. However, this does not include imposing mandates on or changing local vaccination requirements, as those authorities rest with state and local governments.
How Much More Would People Pay in Premiums if the ACA's Enhanced Subsidies Expired? | KFF
Enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies lower premium payments for ACA Marketplace coverage by boosting existing ACA subsidies and making some people newly eligible. Enrollees across incomes benefit from these subsidies. For example, low-income enrollees (making up to 150% of the poverty level) became eligible for free or nearly free coverage. Those earning over four<span class="readmore-ellipsis">…</span><a href="https://www.kff.org/interactive/how-much-more-would-people-pay-in-premiums-if-the-acas-enhanced-subsidies-expired/" class="see-more light-beige no-float inline-readmore">More</a></p>
Section 1115 Waiver Watch: Medicaid Services for Traditional American Indian and Alaska Native Health Care Practices | KFF
In October 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the first ever Section 1115 waiver demonstration amendments that would allow Medicaid and CHIP coverage of traditional health care practices for American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) people in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Oregon. This Waiver Watch reviews disparities in health and health care for AIAN people and summarizes the key features of the approved waivers.
Medicare Advantage 2025 Spotlight: A First Look at Plan Offerings | KFF
This brief provides an overview of the Medicare Advantage plans that are available for 2025 and key trends over time. The average Medicare beneficiary will have the option of 34 Medicare Advantage prescription drug (MA-PD) plans in 2025, 2 fewer than the 36 options available in 2024. The average Medicare beneficiary can choose among plans offered by 8 firms in 2025, the same as in 2024.
Medicare Advantage 2025 Spotlight: A First Look at Plan Premiums and Benefits | KFF
This brief provides an overview of premiums and benefits in Medicare Advantage plans that are available for 2025 and key trends over time. Two-thirds of all Medicare Advantage plans with Part D prescription drug coverage (MA-PDs) (67%) will charge no premium (other than the Part B premium) in 2025, similar to 2024 (66%). Nearly all Medicare Advantage plans (97% or more) are offering vision, dental and hearing, as they have in previous years. However, the share of plans offering certain benefits has declined, such as over-the-counter benefits (85% in 2024 vs. 72% in 2025), remote access technologies (74% in 2024 vs. 53% in 2025), meal benefits (72% in 2024 vs. 65% in 2025) and transportation (36% in 2024 vs. 29% in 2025).