Private Insurance

Health Care Affordability

BTD Health Policy in 2026

Health Policy in 2026

President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman forecasts eight things to look for in health policy in 2026. “First and foremost,” he writes, “is the role health care affordability will play in the midterms.” And, he notes: “The average cost of a family policy for employers could approach $30,000 and cost sharing and deductibles will rise again after plateauing for several years.”

View all of Drew’s Beyond the Data Columns

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  • Make American Health Care Affordable Again

    Perspective

    In this JAMA Health Forum column, Larry Levitt highlights how the Make America Healthy Again agenda aimed at chronic disease does little to address the affordability of health care and that efforts to lower federal spending on health care may worsen the problem, raising out-of-pocket costs for many people with Medicaid and Affordable Care Act…

  • Coverage of Abortion in Large Employer-Sponsored Plans in 2023

    Issue Brief

    This brief presents findings from the 2023 KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey on coverage of abortion services in large employer-sponsored health plans, changes employers made to abortion coverage since the 2022 Supreme Court ruling, and employers’ provision of financial assistance for travel out of state to obtain an abortion.

  • Consumer Problems with Prior Authorization: Evidence from KFF Survey

    Issue Brief

    This Data Note highlights findings from the KFF Consumer Survey on problems consumers have experienced with prior authorization requirements. Overall, those with Medicaid, those who are higher utilizers of care, and those who seek certain types of care such as care for a mental health condition or diabetes encountered more problems with prior authorization over the past year.

  • Policy Landscape of Private Insurance Coverage of Contraception in the U.S.

    Issue Brief

    This issue brief explains the rules for private insurance coverage of contraceptives at the federal and state level, the exemptions and accommodations available for certain employers, gaps in coverage for contraceptives obtained outside of the traditional clinical setting, and how changes in the agencies responsible for making contraceptive recommendations may affect coverage for contraceptives.

  • Examining Short-Term Limited-Duration Health Plans on the Eve of ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment

    Issue Brief

    As Marketplace Open Enrollment nears, policy changes could leave millions of people facing substantially higher premiums and coverage loss, which could lead more consumers to purchase less expensive and less comprehensive coverage through short-term health plans. KFF analyzes short-term health policies sold by nine large insurers in 36 states, examining premiums, cost sharing, covered benefits, and coverage limitations and comparing them to ACA Marketplace plans.

  • How Might Expiring Premium Tax Credits Impact People with HIV?

    Issue Brief

    This issue brief provides an overview of the potential impact not extending enhanced ACA premium tax credits could have on people with HIV and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. Enhanced credits have improved insurance coverage affordability for millions of people, including those with HIV. People with HIV may be particularly vulnerable, given that they are more likely to have Marketplace plans and many also rely on the federally-funded Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program to help cover plan costs. Loss of coverage and increased costs could lead to disruptions in care for people with HIV which could have serious implications for individual and public health.