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Beyond the Data: A Column by Dr. Drew Altman

Beyond the Data

In his “Beyond the Data” columns, Drew Altman discusses what the data, polls, and journalism produced by KFF mean for policy and for people.

A Note on How the War in Iran May Affect Health Care in the Midterms

In a new column, Dr. Drew Altman, KFF’s President and CEO, discusses the impact of the war in Iran and rising gas prices on voter concerns about health care costs. He writes: “Recently, we saw health care costs rise to the top of the public’s list of economic worries, ahead of food, housing, utility costs and the cost of gas….Expect gas prices to rise and health care costs to fall on the list of affordability worries while the war in Iran lasts, but then to return to the top or near the top when President Trump decides to declare the major hostilities over, the Strait of Hormuz is open, and gas prices come down….health care costs have staying power as one of the top voter concerns.”

About KFF

A Few Thoughts After Twenty-Five Years Half In and Half Out of Journalism

Dr. Altman dissects a few key challenges facing journalism, observed over decades overseeing KFF’s health journalism and media programs, including launching KFF Health News as its Founding Publisher in 2009.  He discusses the need for more coverage of state health policy decisions, how news can play a role in countering and not spreading misinformation, and the pros and cons of journalism awards, among others.

Tax and Spending Law

What to Make of the $50 Billion Rural Hospital Grants Program

Dr. Altman examines the controversial rural hospital grant program, noting “Will the new $50 billion rural hospital grant program in the big Republican tax and spending law just amount to a bunch of ribbon cutting and big check ceremonies, or will it help rural hospitals offset coming Medicaid cuts, help them in general, or all of the above?”

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  • Why Affordability Is the Big Tent

    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.

  • The Shifting Sands for State Medicaid Programs Lurking in Our Data

    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.

  • The Two Health Care Cost Crises

    From Drew Altman

    In this column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman explores the nation's twin health cost crises of affordability, especially for people who are sick and need a lot of health care, and national health spending, and why the solutions often work at cross purposes.

  • The CBO Report That Didn’t Roar

    From Drew Altman

    In his latest column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman discusses a recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI)'s payment and delivery demonstrations have cost Medicare money, and what it means for the future of value-based payment.

  • Countering Health Misinformation, By the Numbers

    From Drew Altman

    In this column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman examines the threat posed by health misinformation and opportunities to combat it by relying on the messengers the public trusts most for health information, which includes doctors and local television news sources.