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Drew Altman, CEO

Column
The Front-line Workers Most at Risk from Coronavirus

As state and local governments ease social distancing orders, many employers and workers face decisions about a physical return to the workplace. Drew Altman’s latest Axios column analyzes the numbers and finds that, “An estimated 25-30 million people are caught in the middle of the coronavirus economy — they’re unable to work from home but also face a high risk of severe infection.”
Column
Coronavirus’ Unequal Economic Toll

In this column by Drew Altman in Axios, he finds almost half of African Americans and Latinos are struggling to pay their bills because of coronavirus. “This pain would surely be worse without Washington’s relief efforts. Even so, the hardship is real, and that strengthens the case for more aid and better targeting to the families that need it most.”
Column
The Coronavirus Economy Could Make a Medicare Buy-in More Popular

In this Axios column, Drew Altman analyzes recent unemployment numbers for older workers and discusses how millions of uninsured older workers could lead to a greater push for incremental Medicare expansion proposals.
Column
Reopening is a Risk for Republican Governors

In an Axios column, Drew Altman analyzes recent data on COVID-19 cases and deaths and finds “The hardest-hit areas so far have mostly been in states with Democratic governors. But the number of coronavirus cases is now increasing more quickly in states with Republican governors.”

Latest Polling on racial inequities

Latest Polling

50%

Half of the public (50%) recognize that Black Americans are more likely to get sick or die from coronavirus while fewer (36%) are aware of the disproportionate impact of coronavirus on Hispanics.

48%

About half of Black adults (48%), including 60% of Black men and 38% of Black women, say they have ever been afraid their life was in danger because of their race. This compares to about a quarter (26%) of Hispanic adults and 16% of White adults.

42%

Approximately 4 in 10 say that Black Americans are more likely to receive poor quality health care (42%), less likely to be covered by health insurance (45%), and less likely to be able to access the health care they need (44%).

63%

A majority of Black adults (63%) and nearly half (45%) of Hispanic adults say they have been treated unfairly in a variety of situations in the past 12 months because of their race or ethnicity.

june 2020 poll on RACISM, PROTESTS, AND RACIAL DISPARITIES

in the news

How Many Uninsured Adults Could Be Reached If All States Expanded Medicaid?
This analysis estimates how many uninsured adults—including those uninsured even before the pandemic and those who could become uninsured as a result of it— could become eligible for Medicaid if states that have not yet expanded the program do so.
Poll: Americans are Leaving Home More Often Now Than in April as States Ease Social Distancing Restrictions, though Coronavirus Fears Remain
As states continue to ease social distancing restrictions, Americans are leaving their homes more often to shop, visit close family and friends and go to work than they did in April in spite of their concerns about contracting coronavirus, the latest KFF tracking poll finds. The poll finds 9 in 10 (89%) adults say they…More
Majorities Support Policies Banning Discrimination Against LGBTQ Individuals’ Health Care Access
This KFF poll finds the public largely supports laws that ban discrimination against people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender in light of recent decisions made by the Trump administration to roll back protections for LGBTQ people, and the Supreme Court ruling to ban discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation in the workplace.
Almost One in Four Adult Workers is Vulnerable to Severe Illness from COVID-19
This analysis finds nearly one in four workers are considered at high risk of serious illness if they get infected by the novel coronavirus, highlighting the challenges that businesses, public offices and other employers face as they reopen.