The Implications of Federal SNAP Spending Cuts on Individuals with Medicaid, Medicare and Other Health Coverage June 26, 2025 Issue Brief Proposed changes in eligibility rules in both SNAP and Medicaid may jeopardize some people’s access to both adequate food and health care if various provisions of the bill take effect, in part because there is a significant overlap in eligibility requirements for Medicaid and SNAP across states. Four in 10 (40%) Medicaid enrollees receive SNAP benefits.
Medicare Advantage Insurers Often Use Rewards and Incentives to Encourage Enrollees to Complete Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) April 28, 2025 Issue Brief This analysis examines the share of Medicare Advantage enrollees in contracts (which usually include multiple plans) that offered rewards or incentives for completing health risk assessments (HRAs) in 2023, as well as differences across Medicare Advantage insurers.
5 Key Facts About Nursing Facilities and Medicaid May 28, 2025 Issue Brief The substantial Medicaid savings in the reconciliation bill that has been passed by the House could have major implications for nearly 15,000 federally certified nursing facilities and the 1.2 million people living in them. Nursing facilities provide medical and personal care services for older adults and people with disabilities, and Medicaid covered 44% of long-term institutional care costs in 2023.
Shifts in Funding Priorities and Vaccine Guidance Contribute to Safety Myths, Plus Reactions to Ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti — The Monitor June 26, 2025 Page This volume examines how the cancellation of contracts to develop a bird flu vaccine and unfounded claims by new vaccine advisors reflect persistent myths about the safety of mRNA technology. It also explores false claims linking COVID-19 vaccines to miscarriage and analyzes how reactions to a Supreme Court ruling on gender-affirming care for minors highlights misconceptions and inflammatory language.
Which Federal Agencies Make Medicare Work and How Were They Affected by Recent Changes Made by the Trump Administration? June 4, 2025 Issue Brief This brief highlights some of the key federal agencies and offices that play a role in making Medicare work and, to the extent possible, describes the recent staffing and organizational changes made by the Trump administration that could affect the operations of Medicare in the future.
Classifying Misoprostol and Mifepristone as Controlled Substances: Implications for the Management of Non-Abortion Related Conditions April 3, 2025 Issue Brief This data note analyzes employer-sponsored insurance and Medicaid claims data to see how mifepristone and misoprostol—two drugs used in the medication abortion regimen—are prescribed for reasons other than abortion including management of miscarriages, abnormal bleeding or hemorrhage, as well as IUD insertions and other conditions.
Public Trust in Vaccine Information, Misrepresented Vaccine Studies, and HIV and PrEP Stigma — The Monitor May 8, 2025 Page This volume examines findings about trusted sources of vaccine information from the latest KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust. It also explores how the misrepresentation of studies and policy developments contribute to health narratives around vaccines, HIV and PrEP. Lastly, it summarizes new research on the use of generative AI to counteract vaccine misinformation.
Race-Based Vaccine Myths Spread Amid Measles Outbreaks — The Monitor February 27, 2025 Page This volume discusses the spread of race-based vaccine myths and shifts in health communication from fact-checking to fostering open dialogue. It also explains common misconceptions about heart attack treatment and prevention, a new scientific journal that questions established science, and gaps in research standards for AI chatbots used in healthcare.
What to Know About the Older Americans Act and the Services it Provides to Older Adults June 3, 2025 Issue Brief The Trump administration is proposing a reorganization and staffing cuts at HHS that create uncertainty about the potential effects on older adults, who receive services authorized under the Older Americans Act. This brief provides an overview of programs and services provided under the Older Americans Act, the role played by the Administration for Community Living in administering these programs, and trends in program funding and service utilization by older adults.
5 Key Facts About Medicaid Coverage for Adults with Chronic Conditions April 10, 2025 Issue Brief Nearly three in four adults enrolled in Medicaid have one or more chronic conditions. Medicaid spending doubles for adults with 1-2 chronic conditions and quadruples for those with 3 or more chronic conditions. Low or no out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications in the Medicaid program help adults with chronic conditions avoid cost-related rationing or delays in prescription access. Uninsured adults were 2.5 times more likely than Medicaid-enrolled or privately insured adults to report skipping or delaying prescription medications due to cost.