The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.
Proposals from some Republicans in Congress would effectively repeal some or all of the ACA premium tax credits and replace them with contributions to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or something similar. Senator Rick Scott proposes “Trump Health Freedom Accounts” and Senator Bill Cassidy proposes HSA contributions available only for people who enroll in bronze level ACA plans to pay for out-of-pocket health care costs.
The maps in this brief show how much average premium payments would increase for 2026 benchmark silver plans with the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits at three income levels above an income cap of 400% of federal poverty for a 40-year-old and 60-year-old individual, namely 401%, 501% and 601%.
Prior authorization review frustrates patients and physicians, but we likely can’t just eliminate it. In his new column, President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman discusses why, and why the focus is now instead on “doing it smarter.” Altman writes: “A proposal to eliminate prior authorization altogether could be the single most tangible and popular health reform idea a candidate could make. But, in our fragmented health system, with no great way to control costs or limit unnecessary care, we seem to be stuck with prior authorization review…and most payers are now trying to ‘do prior authorization review smarter.’”
Three experts join Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF, for a 45-minute “Health Wonk Shop” discussion about the latest developments in prescription drug pricing and what they mean for drug manufacturers, patients and public and private health insurance programs.
Timely insights and analysis from KFF staff
This policy change will likely exacerbate fears among immigrant families about health officials and providers sharing patient information with ICE, increasing their reluctance to access health coverage or care. … more
Recent changes to the CDC’s website language falsely asserting that a link between vaccines and autism cannot be ruled out may introduce ambiguity that online narratives can exploit. … more
The proposed rule would likely lead to further declines in use of health care and programs among immigrant families. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) suggests that one of the benefits of the rule would be “a reduction in the number of aliens dependent on public benefit programs” and notes that it will result in… … more
The 2025 Survey of Immigrants, a partnership between KFF and The New York Times, takes an in-depth look at the experiences of immigrants during the first year of President Trump’s second term, including their worries related to increased immigration enforcement, their health and economic wellbeing, and the political views and preferences of immigrant voters. The survey paints a portrait of families under strain — where fear of detention and economic instability are negatively impacting immigrants’ health and reshaping immigrant families’ daily lives and views of U.S. political parties.
Read the News Release | Explore The New York Times’ Reporting
ACA marketplace premiums are going up an average of 26%. But what enrollees will pay could go up an average of 114%. How can both of those numbers be right? This short video explains the difference between what insurers charge (the “sticker price”) and what enrollees will pay if the enhanced premium tax credits expire.
This volume examines recent social media and AI policy changes; conflicting studies on COVID-19 vaccines and cancer; ACOG guidance on contraceptive misinformation; an alternative to the CDC’s MMWR; the Texas AG’s Tylenol lawsuit; and findings from a recent KFF Tracking Poll on trust in health care apps and websites that use AI.
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Drishti Pillai 
Hagere Yilma 
Samantha Artiga