Filter

11 - 20 of 320 Results

  • Medicaid Enrollment & Spending Growth: FY 2025 & 2026

    Issue Brief

    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.

  • State Awards From Most of the Rural Health Fund Could Vary Only Modestly Despite Large Differences in Rural Needs

    Issue Brief

    This brief provides estimates of how $37.5 billion of the $50 billion rural health fund could be distributed across states if all states are approved for funding. Awards from the $37.5 billion could range from an estimated $550 million (in Rhode Island) to just over $1 billion (in Texas) over five years if all states were approved for funding. These differences are relatively modest compared to the wide variation across states in rural health needs.

  • 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

    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.

  • What to Know About How Medicare Pays Physicians

    Issue Brief

    Each 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.

  • A promotional image for the the KFF Health Policy 101 Congress, the Executive Branch, and Health Policy chapter

    Congress and the Executive Branch and Health Policy

    Feature

    This 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.

  • A promotional image for the the KFF Health Policy 101 Health Care Costs and Affordability chapter

    Health Care Costs and Affordability

    Feature

    This 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.  

  • A promotional image for the the KFF Health Policy 101 Medicare chapter

    The Affordable Care Act 101

    Feature

    This 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.