Tariffs Are Driving up Premiums for Small Businesses
Some insurers in the ACA’s small group market are citing tariffs, particularly those affecting prescriptions drugs, as a reason for higher-than-expected premium increases.
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CMS Phasing Out Medicaid Workforce Initiatives
Policy WatchOn July 11, CMS notified states that, going forward, it does not anticipate approving new 1115 demonstration workforce initiatives or extending existing waivers. Such changes may limit states’ abilities to pursue initiatives investing in the Medicaid workforce.
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A Look at the New Executive Order and the Intersection of Homelessness and Mental Illness
Policy WatchThis brief describes the new executive order, examines the intersection of homelessness and mental illness, reviews the history of the deinstitutionalization movement, and discusses specialized treatment services for people with SMI.
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How Might Federal Medicaid Cuts in the Enacted Reconciliation Package Affect Rural Areas?
Policy WatchUnder the reconciliation package, federal Medicaid spending in rural areas is estimated to decline by $137 billion, more than the $50 billion appropriated for the rural health fund.
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A Continuing Saga: Ending Abortion Restrictions in States with Constitutional Protections
Policy WatchThis policy watch provides an update on the status of abortion restrictions in states that passed a constitutional amendment protecting abortion, or where a state court previously interpreted the state constitution as protecting abortion access.
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New Policy Bars Many Lawfully Present and Undocumented Immigrants from a Broad Range of Federal Health and Social Supports
Policy WatchThis policy watch discusses a recent policy change by the Department of Health and Human Services that bars several groups of immigrants from accessing an updated list of "federal public benefits".
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Demand for 988 Continues to Grow at Third Anniversary
Policy WatchThis policy watch examines 988 on its third anniversary, drawing from the latest Lifeline data available through May 2025 and suicide death data from CDC WONDER for the period 2013 to 2023. 988 received 16.5 million contacts since its launch in July 2022, including 11.2 million calls, 2.9 million texts, and 2.4 million chats.
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Kennedy v. Braidwood: The Supreme Court Upheld ACA Preventive Services but That’s Not the End of the Story
Policy WatchOn June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion on Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, ruling that the ACA requirement that most private insurers and Medicaid expansion programs cover preventive services recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) with no cost-sharing is constitutional.
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SCOTUS Ruling on Medina v. Planned Parenthood Will Limit Access to Care for Patients in South Carolina and Beyond
Policy WatchThe Supreme Court's ruling in Medina v. Planned Parenthood of the South Atlantic means that Medicaid enrollees in South Carolina, and in other states that exclude Planned Parenthood going forward, will not be able to use their Medicaid coverage to obtain any preventive services, such as contraceptive care, STI treatment and cancer screenings, at Planned Parenthood clinics.
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Explaining Cost-Sharing Reductions and Silver Loading in ACA Marketplaces
Policy WatchThe House of Representatives recently passed a budget reconciliation bill that would appropriate funding for cost-sharing reductions that insurers are required to provide to low-income enrollees in the Affordable Care Act marketplace. This policy watch explains what these cost-sharing reductions are, how they relate to federal spending, and what effect appropriating funding might have on premiums and the uninsured rate.