From Drew Altman: Our Darwinian Approach to Health Care Costs

In his latest column, President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman presents his Venn diagram of health care cost problems and shows how, in our fragmented health system, reducing one health cost problem often makes another worse. He writes, “Washington, states, employers and people would not have to scramble so much to reduce their own health spending if we did more to reduce underlying health care costs or at least tried harder. … In the absence of any meaningful way to address underlying health care costs everyone focuses on reducing spending — their own.”

Health Costs

Examining Health Insurance Complexities, Consumer Protections

This brief discusses how consumers understand what their insurance covers, what to do when coverage for care is denied, and what protections exist to ensure that information is available and coverage determinations are fair, accurate, and timely.

vaccines

Timely insights and analysis from KFF staff

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new and noteworthy

Virtual Event: Unpacking Newly Expanded Mexico City Policy

Event Date:

The Trump administration’s latest Mexico City Policy expansion marks its most significant expansion in more than 40 years.
KFF experts will discuss what’s changed and what it could mean for global health programs and U.S. foreign aid.

Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act affects coverage and costs for millions of Americans, and impacts virtually all aspects of the U.S. health system — but how much do you really know about it? Test your expertise with KFF’s ACA quiz.

Medicaid and Upcoming State Budget Debates

Medicaid and Upcoming State Budget Debates

This brief describes current state fiscal conditions as states begin fiscal year 2027 budget debates and highlights key areas to watch for Medicaid policy changes as states respond to fiscal challenges and the 2025 reconciliation law.

State Efforts to Fill in Federal Funding Gaps for Planned Parenthood

This brief examines efforts in 11 states to fill in funding gaps created by the 2025 federal budget reconciliation law, which prohibits federal Medicaid funding for reproductive-health care services provided by Planned Parenthood and other organizations that also provide abortion care.

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