Access to Care - Research and Data from KFF

What Do We Know About Health Care Access and Quality in Medicare Advantage Versus the Traditional Medicare Program?

Nov 6, 2014

Report

As the number of Medicare Advantage enrollees continues to climb, there is growing interest in understanding how the care provided to Medicare beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage plans differs from the care received by beneficiaries in traditional Medicare. This literature review of more than 40 studies synthesizes the evidence to date comparing access and quality for beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage plans and traditional Medicare.

The Effects of Premiums and Cost Sharing on Low-Income Populations: Updated Review of Research Findings

Jun 1, 2017

Issue Brief

This brief reviews research from 65 papers published between 2000 and March 2017 on the effects of premiums and cost sharing on low-income populations in Medicaid and CHIP. This research has primarily focused on how premiums and cost sharing affect coverage and access to and use of care; some studies also have examined effects on safety net providers and state savings.

Family Planning Services for Low-Income Women: The Role of Public Programs

Dec 1, 2025

Issue Brief

This brief explains the major sources of public financing for family planning care, related policies, and their role financing services for low-income women.

Coverage Expansions and the Remaining Uninsured: A Look at California During Year One of ACA Implementation

May 28, 2015

Report

California is a bellwether state for understanding the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Much attention has been paid to enrollment in California's new coverage options, such as the Medicaid expansion (Medi-Cal) and plans sold through ACA marketplaces (Covered California), and to changes in the uninsured from 2013 to 2014. However, less is known about how this coverage has affected people’s access to care and financial security, and why others remain uninsured. This report, based on the 2014 Kaiser Survey of Low-Income Americans aims to fill this gap by comparing the newly insured, previously insured and remaining uninsured across several of these important dimensions.

New Survey Documents Women’s Health Care, Coverage and Early Experiences with the Affordable Care Act

May 15, 2014

News Release

A comprehensive survey released today by the Kaiser Family Foundation provides a snapshot of women and their health coverage and care during a time of transition as important Affordable Care Act insurance market changes began to take root.

Quote image from Jared Ortaliza's quick take reads, "Setting an income cap may not have much effect on the federal budget, but it could have a big effect on some household budgets, particularly for older enrollees."

What an Income Cap Could Mean for ACA Enrollees and the Federal Budget

Oct 10, 2025

Quick Take

Some members of Congress are considering an income cap on the ACA enhanced premium tax credits to lower federal costs. Depending on the income cutoff chosen, a cap may have little effect on the federal budget and a big effect on some households’ budgets, particularly for older enrollees.

More Than Half of ACA Marketplace Enrollees Live in Republican Congressional Districts

Oct 6, 2025

Quick Take

Since the enhanced premium tax credits became available in 2021, ACA Marketplace enrollment has increased significantly in some red states, and 57% of enrollees now live in Republican congressional districts.

Working Medicaid Enrollees Value Work But Are Wary About Work Requirements When Told About Paperwork Burden

Jun 20, 2025

Quick Take

Our polling finds that most of Medicaid’s working population say losing their coverage would have direct consequences for their financial and personal well-being.

The Twin Problems of Mental Health Care: Access and Affordability

Dec 10, 2024

From Drew Altman

In this column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman analyzes the serious access and affordability challenges facing people with mental health problems and suggests the issue could be one of a few candidates for bipartisan action in the next Congress.

State Profiles for Women’s Health

Oct 21, 2021

Interactive

Explore the latest national and state-specific data and policies on women’s health. Topics include health status, insurance and Medicaid coverage, use of preventive services, sexual health, maternal and infant health, and abortion policies. Many indicators provide state-level information for women of different racial and ethnic groups.

Topics

Policy Research

Polling

Health News

Data & Features

For Media

About

View the Latest: Access to Care

Filter