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Updated Health Spending Explorer Features the Latest National Data
News ReleaseNew 2020 data on U.S. health spending are now available on the Health Spending Explorer, an interactive tool that allows users to explore trends in health expenditures by federal and local governments, insurers, service providers, and individuals. The data, which span from 1960 to 2020, are based on the just-released national health spending report from the federal government. The new data reflect the country experiencing a global pandemic which impacted health care spending and policymaking…
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5 Key Facts on Adolescent Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Issue BriefNineteen percent of adolescents experience moderate to severe anxiety and 2 million have a substance use disorder. This analysis covers the latest data on adolescent mental illness, suicide and drug overdose trends, and access to care.
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Drug Price Negotiation Doesn’t Mean the Government Will Restrict Access to Medicines
Policy WatchThis policy watch evaluates the pharmaceutical industry's claims that allowing the federal government to negotiate drug prices would restrict access to medications in Medicare. It explains what the current proposal to allow drug price negotiation would and wouldn't do.
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Texas Emerges as Focus of New Trump Administration Actions to Limit Gender-Affirming Care
Policy WatchThis analysis explores recent actions the Trump administration has taken to limit youth access to gender-affirming care. Each has a connection to the Justice Department and to the state of Texas. These measures are widely seen as an escalation in this policy area and could add to the chilling effect already characterizing the provision of gender affirming care.
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Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Coverage in Medicare Advantage Plans
Issue BriefThis brief describes the scope of mental health and substance use disorder benefits in Medicare Advantage plans, including extra benefits, cost sharing, and prior authorization and referral requirements, based on an analysis of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Advantage plan benefit and enrollment files for 2022.
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FAQs on Medicare Coverage and Costs Related to COVID-19 Testing and Treatment
Issue BriefThese FAQs provide the latest guidance on testing and treatment related to COVID-19 for Medicare beneficiaries, including questions related to out-of-pocket costs, the COVID-19 vaccine, telehealth, extended supplies of medication, skilled nursing facility stays, and issues for people in private Medicare Advantage plans.
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States Expand Access to Ivermectin as Cancer Myths Continue, and Abortion Pill Faces False Water Supply Claim — The Monitor
FeatureThis volume examines unsupported claims about ivermectin; the promotion of unproven “detox” supplements in response to falsehoods about the spike protein from the COVID-19 virus and vaccine; the unsubstantiated claim that byproducts from medication abortion pills contaminate the water supply; and the renewed debate over ADHD diagnoses and treatments.
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How Many Adults with Private Health Insurance Could Use GLP-1 Drugs
Issue BriefMore than two in five (42%) or 57.4 million adults under 65 with private insurance could be eligible under clinical criteria for GLP-1 drugs used to treat people with type 2 diabetes, obesity, or excess weight and weight-related health issues, according to a new KFF analysis. Though only about 3% of adults with employer coverage had a prescription in 2022, demand for and spending on GLP-1 drugs has grown and could continue to grow. Given…
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A Record 3,834 Medicare Advantage Plans Will be Available in 2022, Up 8 Percent From 2021, While the Number of Medicare Part D Stand-Alone Plans is Decreasing Mainly Due to Firm Consolidations
News ReleaseA record 3,834 Medicare Advantage plans will be available across the country as alternatives to traditional Medicare for 2022, a new KFF analysis finds. That’s an increase of 8 percent from 2021, and the largest number of plans available in more than a decade. At the same time, the number of Medicare Part D stand-alone prescription drug plans that will be offered in 2022 is decreasing by 23 percent to 766 plans, primarily the result…