Eric Harkleroad December 7, 2022 Person Eric Harkleroad, digital producer, helps prepare KFF Health News articles and visuals for publication. Before joining KFF Health News, Eric interned as a visual journalist for Education Week and Voice of America and worked as a data journalist for Capital News Service, where he sharpened his programming skills in R…
Rashida Hamm December 7, 2022 Person Rashida Hamm, administrative coordinator for KFF Health News, manages contracts and payments for freelance writers and photographers, and handles logistics for the news staff. She has been with KFF for eight years, so she knows the answer to any question staffers have or can point them in the right direction…
Examining New Medicaid Resources to Expand School-Based Behavioral Health Services April 23, 2024 Issue Brief In light of worsening mental health among youth, strategies have been implemented to improve access to behavioral health services in recent years, including expanding school-based care for students. Leveraging Medicaid to improve and address gaps in school-based behavioral health services has been a key strategy in recent years as youth mental health concerns have grown. Provisions from the Safer Communities Act of 2022 utilize Medicaid to expand both school-based health care and other mechanisms of youth behavioral health care. This issue brief explores the implementation of these provisions from the Safer Communities Act thus far, with a focus on the guidance issued from CMS.
The Symbolic Manipulation of Health Issues in Elections March 15, 2024 From Drew Altman 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.
More On Health and Politics: The Peculiar Timing of Republican Health Policy Plans April 9, 2024 From Drew Altman In this column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman examines the conservative Republican Study Committee’s sweeping proposals to remake Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act and their potential to make waves in this year’s elections. Whether former President Trump ignores, embraces, or repudiates their ideas will be key.
Why Affordability Is the Big Tent February 20, 2024 From Drew Altman In this column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman explores why the public’s concerns about out-of-pocket health costs make health care affordability the health policy issue most likely to resonate with voters across the political spectrum.
It’s Not a Health Care Election, But Health Issues Might Still Add Up February 28, 2024 From Drew Altman In this column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman explores the potential for some health care issues—including abortion, drug costs and other affordability challenges—to influence enough voters in swing states to make a difference in this year’s presidential election.
The Shifting Sands for State Medicaid Programs Lurking in Our Data February 12, 2024 From Drew Altman KFF President and CEO Drew Altman examines the coming squeeze on state budgets and state Medicaid programs, stemming from declining federal matching funds, weakening state revenues, and competing state priorities, and the challenges it poses for states seeking to strengthen their programs and try innovative new approaches.
Mental Health April 27, 2023 Topic Landing Page Explore KFF’s policy research, polling and news about mental health and substance use, including policy initiatives and funding to improve access and quality of services to address the mental health crisis.
Questions I Get About the Standards and Practices for Organizations in an Era of Misinformation and Declining Trust January 29, 2024 From Drew Altman In this column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman explains the organization’s role in providing independent, authoritative policy analysis, polling and journalism and provides an overview of the standards and practices in place to maintain credibility in an era of declining trust and rampant misinformation.