Medicaid Enrollment & Spending Growth: FY 2025 & 2026
This brief analyzes Medicaid enrollment and spending trends for FY 2025 and FY 2026, based on data provided by state Medicaid directors as part of the 25th annual survey of Medicaid directors.
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State Medicaid Officials Project Flat Enrollment Post Unwinding but Increased Spending and Budget Pressures, as States Prepare for Impact of Federal Medicaid Policy Changes
News ReleaseAs states completed the “unwinding” of pandemic-era continuous coverage, Medicaid enrollment fell 7.6% in FY 2025 and is expected to be largely flat in FY 2026. At the same time, total Medicaid spending grew by 8.6% in FY 2025 and is expected to grow by 7.9% in FY 2026.
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A View of Medicaid Today and a Look Ahead: Balancing Access, Budgets and Upcoming Changes
ReportThis report highlights key policy priorities and issues state Medicaid programs focused on in FY 2025 and are prioritizing in FY 2026.
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KFF Health Tracking Poll: Public Weighs in on Health Care Debate and Government Shutdown
Poll FindingAs the government shutdown continues, this poll finds that public support remains high for extending the enhanced ACA tax credits set to expire at the end of the year. Three quarters of the public favor of extending them, though support among Republicans has dipped since September. Most Democrats want a Congressional budget deal to include an extension of the tax credits.
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What an Income Cap Could Mean for ACA Enrollees and the Federal Budget
Quick TakeSome 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.
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What to Know About How Medicare Pays Physicians
Issue BriefEach year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updates Medicare payments for physician services and other Part B services through rulemaking. This issue brief answers key questions about how physicians are paid under the Medicare program, and reviews policy options under discussion for payment reform.
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Congress and the Executive Branch and Health Policy
FeatureThis Health Policy 101 chapter explores the federal government’s role in health policy for the fragmented U.S. health care system. It examines the impact of the three federal branches and goes into further detail about the Department of Health and Human Services structure and the major congressional committees dealing with health care. It also briefly outlines the federal budgetary and regulatory process.
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Health Care Costs and Affordability
FeatureThis Health Policy 101 chapter explores trends in health care costs in the U.S. and the factors that contribute to this spending. It also examines how health care spending varies across the population, the impact of costs on care affordability and individuals' overall financial vulnerability.
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The Affordable Care Act 101
FeatureThis Health Policy 101 chapter provides an overview of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a major reform of the U.S. health care system aimed at reducing high uninsured rates and alleviating issues like high out-of-pocket costs and coverage exclusions for preexisting conditions. The ACA significantly altered many aspects of the health system and the chapter explores its mechanisms, such as the Health Insurance Marketplaces, and the evolution of the law since its passage in 2010 to the changes in the 2025 budget reconciliation law.
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1.4 Million Lawfully Present Immigrants are Expected to Lose Health Coverage due to the 2025 Tax and Budget Law
Policy WatchThis policy watch outlines the groups of lawfully present immigrants that will lose access to federally funded health coverage due to the 2025 tax and budget law, and the CBO’s estimates of the increases in the uninsured.