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Beyond the Data: Are the Tradeoffs from Prior Authorization Worth It? 

In his latest column, President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman asks if prior authorization review could be eliminated entirely, discussing how it might be done and the tradeoffs. He writes “Nothing makes American health care consumers more frustrated using the health system than prior authorization review. I know because they told us that, ranking prior authorization review far ahead of any other problems they have getting care and navigating the health care system, including getting appointments and understanding their bills.”

Affordable care act

Poll: Health Care Costs, Expiring ACA Tax Credits, and the 2026 Midterms

Heading into this midterm election year, the cost of health care tops the public’s economic anxieties, and more than 4 in 10 voters say the issue will have a major impact on their vote, a new KFF Health Tracking poll finds. Two thirds of public say Congress "did the wrong thing" by not extending ACA enhanced tax credits, but Republicans largely say Congress “did the right thing.”

Health System Tracker

How Does Health Spending in the U.S. Compare to Other Countries? While the U.S. still spends the most in total dollars, eight OECD nations had a higher percentage increase in per-person health spending in 2024.

 

How Does Cost Affect Access to Health Care? In 2024, about 1 in 6 adults reported delaying or not getting healthcare due to cost, including medical or mental health care.

 

How Do Health Expenditures Vary Across the Population? Five percent of the population made up nearly half of all health spendings, pending an average of $72,918 annually in 2023.

NHE explorer

National Health Spending Explorer: Get up-to-date information on U.S. health spending by federal and local governments, private companies, and individuals.

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  • Section 4: Health Insurance Choice

    Report

    Exhibit 4.1 Exhibit 4.6 Exhibit 4.2 Exhibit 4.7 Exhibit 4.3 Exhibit 4.8 Exhibit 4.4 Exhibit 4.9 Exhibit 4.5 Exhibit 4.10 5Survey respondents were asked whether the firm offers a personal or health savings account, including a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) or other type of health savings account option.

  • Update on Individual Health Insurance

    Report

    This report provides information about the individual health insurance market using data from the largest vendor of this type of insurance, eHealthInsurance. The report includes who is buying individual insurance, what they are actually paying for the insurance, and buying patterns.

  • Section 3: Employee Coverage, Eligibility, and Participation

    Report

    Employers are the principal source of health insurance in the U.S., providing health benefits to about 63% of nonelderly persons in 2002.4 Although the percentage of workers receiving health insurance through their own employer has exhibited only slight annual declines, the cumulative drop since 2001 is over four percentage points.

  • Section 2: Page One

    Other Post

    Although nearly all large firms (200 or more workers) offer health benefits, all small firms (3-199 workers) are only about half as likely as all large firms to offer coverage (Exhibit 2.2).

  • Page Two

    Other Post

    Employee Contributions Almost 80% of covered workers with single coverage, and over 90% of covered workers with family coverage make a contribution toward premiums in 2004 (Exhibit C). Workers on average contribute $558 of the $3,695 annual cost of single coverage and $2,661 of the $9,950 annual cost of family coverage toward premiums (Exhibit B).

  • Q&A with Drew Altman on Healthcare Issues in Boston Sunday Globe

    Other Post

    Q&A with Drew Altman on Healthcare Issues in Boston Sunday Globe In a Boston Sunday Globe Q&A published on Sunday, July 18, Kaiser Family Foundation President Drew Altman discussed rising healthcare premiums and their impact on families.

  • California Health Care Chartbook: Key Data and Trends

    Report

    This chartbook provides California and U.S. data and trend analysis on a broad range of health system and financing indicators, including demographics and health status data, insurance coverage and the uninsured, employer health insurance premiums and offer rates, Medicaid and Medicare enrollment and spending, and health care industry trends. Chartbook (.

  • Trends in Medicare Supplemental Insurance and Prescription Drug Benefits, 1996-2001Data Update

    Report

    Trends in Medicare Supplemental Insurance and Prescription Drug Benefits, 1996-2001 Data Update This data update provides estimates of supplemental insurance and prescription drug coverage rates and trends between 1996 and 2001, which will help to provide important context for assessing future changes in supplemental insurance and drug coverage rates after provisions of the Medicare drug…