Policy Watch Archives

State Recommendations for Routine Childhood Vaccines: Increasing Departure from Federal Guidelines

Jan 22, 2026

Policy Watch

Starting in May of last year, HHS Secretary Kennedy and the CDC/ACIP began to make changes to the federal vaccine schedule for children, culminating in an announcement on January 5 of this year with the most wide-ranging changes to date. This policy brief tracks the number of states that have announced they are no longer following federal government recommendations for childhood vaccines as of January 20, 2026.

State-Based Efforts Will Provide Limited Relief from Enhanced Tax Credit Expiration

Jan 9, 2026

Policy Watch

After failed Senate votes late last year and no subsequent bipartisan agreement, the enhanced premium tax credits expired as of January 1. Some states, particularly those operating State-Based Marketplaces (SBMs), have been preparing for this possibility for months and are moving to blunt the impact on consumers by implementing their own state-funded subsidies and implementing other programs aimed at stabilizing the cost of unsubsidized premiums.

The New Federal Vaccine Schedule for Children: What Changed and What Are the Implications?

Jan 9, 2026

Policy Watch

This brief looks at newly announced changes by HHS to the pediatric vaccination schedule, which reduce the number of vaccines recommended for all children. Implications of these changes for childhood vaccination rates and trust in public health are discussed.

Trump Administration Drops Medicaid Vaccine Reporting Requirements

Jan 9, 2026

Policy Watch

This policy watch describes recent Trump administration changes to Medicaid vaccine reporting requirements and explores what the end of state reporting requirements may mean for how the U.S. tracks childhood vaccinations rates.

Recent Changes in Federal Vaccine Recommendations: What’s the Impact on Insurance Coverage?

Dec 16, 2025

Policy Watch

This policy watch provides an overview of recent changes to federal vaccine recommendations in the U.S. and what they mean for insurance coverage.

The New ACA Repeal and Replace: Health Savings Accounts

Nov 21, 2025

Policy Watch

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.

Access Uncertain for New Injectable PrEP as the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Open Enrollment Begins

Nov 18, 2025

Policy Watch

This analysis examines access to, and consumers ability to find information on, a new twice annual long-acting PrEP drug during the first ACA open enrollment period since its approval. Despite the drug widely being considered a major advance, early evidence suggests that insurance coverage and benefit design decisions may create barriers to access.

Will Trump’s Announcement Expand Access to IVF?

Oct 27, 2025

Policy Watch

The White House announcement focused on reducing the cost of some IVF drugs and clarifying options for employers to offer standalone fertility benefits for their employees and their dependents. This policy watch examines some key takeaways about the Trump IVF plan.

States Are Forming “Health Alliances.” Can They Make a Difference for Public Health Policy?

Oct 16, 2025

Policy Watch

States have begun to form "health alliances" as a counter to federal public health recommendations and policies under the Trump Administration. This Policy Watch describes the goals of these alliances, and discusses what effects they may have for U.S. public health policy.

Medicare Beneficiaries Have 32 Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans Available, on Average, for 2026

Oct 14, 2025

Policy Watch

Medicare beneficiaries will have 32 Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage available to choose from, on average, in 2026.

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