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This Health Policy 101 chapter explores trends in health care costs in the U.S. and the factors that contribute to this spending. It also examines how health care spending varies across the population, the impact of costs on care affordability and individuals’ overall financial vulnerability.  

This Health Policy 101 chapter outlines the U.S. government’s efforts in global health, which aim to improve health in low- and middle-income countries while supporting U.S. global development, national security, and foreign policy goals. As the largest funder of global health programs worldwide, the U.S. provides bilateral and multilateral support to address major global health areas such as HIV and maternal and child health. Key issues addressed include U.S. global health leadership in a challenging U.S. political and budget environment, helping countries prepare for unexpected health challenges, and sustainability in the context of weak health systems and equity challenges.

Countries are seeking to create a new ‘pandemic agreement’ at WHO to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. This brief explains what the pandemic agreement is, where the U.S. stands on issues included in the agreement, and potential outcomes of the ongoing negotiations. It also evaluates several criticisms of the agreement and the evidence for each.

This issue brief examines well-child visit rates overall and for selected characteristics before and after the pandemic began and discusses recent state and federal policy changes that could impact children’s preventive care. More than half of children under age 21 enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP received a well-child visit in 2019, but the share fell to 48% in 2020, the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

KFF President and CEO Drew Altman explains why data and facts, policy plans and lists of accomplishments do not connect with many voters. Understanding the symbolic dimensions of politics and issues is critical for experts. We can reach a share of the public with facts and data but need additional strategies to reach everyone, including storytelling and trusted messengers.

As rates of childhood vaccination decline and with measles on the rise again, a KFF Health Misinformation Tracking Poll, fielded in late February, examines the extent to which adults have heard and believe misinformation about the measles vaccine. The poll also examines the public’s views of the U.S. government and…

The latest KFF Health Misinformation Tracking Poll examines misinformation related to the measles vaccine and the public’s views of the U.S. government and social media companies’ role in moderating false claims online.

In November 2023, CMS finalized a 3.4% decrease in the physician fee schedule conversion factor, a key aspect of payment rates under the Medicare program, resulting in a 1.25% decrease in overall payments that is expected to vary by specialty. This issue brief answers key questions about how physicians are paid under the Medicare program, and reviews policy options under discussion for payment reform.

Note:  This content was updated on February 28, 2024  to incorporate new FAQs from CMS. Tables 1 and 2 were also updated to include updated recommendations. It has been more than ten years since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) required private insurance plans to cover recommended preventive services without any…

This brief provides an overview of diversity in clinical trials, disparities in access to novel drug therapies and other treatments, and the implications for health and health care.