Most Medicare Advantage Markets are Dominated by One or Two Insurers July 14, 2025 Issue Brief Higher market concentration in Medicare Advantage insurance markets may lower the incentive for insurers to compete for potential enrollees by making plans more appealing through more comprehensive benefits or lower costs.
5 Key Facts About Medicaid and Veterans June 30, 2025 Issue Brief Medicaid helps fill gaps in coverage for veterans who are low-income, have disabilities, or are otherwise ineligible for military health benefits. It supports those with complex health needs and reduces out-of-pocket expenses. This brief presents five key facts about veterans with Medicaid and how policy changes in Congress could affect their coverage and access to care.
How Might Changes to the ACA Marketplace Impact Enrollees with Mental Health Conditions? June 27, 2025 Issue Brief This brief estimates the number of current Marketplace enrollees with a mental health diagnosis to understand what changes in enrollment may mean for access to services. Among the 24.3 million Marketplace enrollees in 2025, over 4.4 million individuals are estimated to have at least one mental health diagnosis on a health care claim.
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.
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.
Policy Uncertainty is Creating Challenges for ACA Marketplace Insurers June 25, 2025 Quick Take Until Congress passes the reconciliation bill, Marketplace insurers will face uncertainty regarding the regulatory landscape and may find it difficult to set premiums for 2026.
What Privacy and Protection Standards are in Place for Medicaid Enrollees’ Personal Data? June 23, 2025 Blog This policy watch discusses the data privacy protections in Medicaid and the implications of breaches or violations of those protections.
What are the Implications of the Skrmetti Ruling for Minors’ Access to Gender Affirming Care? June 18, 2025 Blog This policy watch examines the June 18 Supreme Court ruling upholding a Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth in the case of the United States v. Skrmetti, how it will affect access in other states with similar bans, and other implications.
Tariffs Are Driving 2026 Health Insurance Premiums Up June 16, 2025 Quick Take President Trump has vowed to impose tariffs on a wide variety of goods from multiple countries. While consumers may expect the price of some imported goods to go up, what may be surprising is that these tariffs are already driving health insurance premiums up.
How the Reconciliation Bill Limits States’ Authority Over ACA Insurance Markets June 13, 2025 Quick Take Taken together, the reconciliation bill’s provisions impose additional administrative burdens on state-based marketplaces and could limit state flexibility in choosing marketplace policies and procedures.