This Week
The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.
From Drew Altman: Our Darwinian Approach to Health Care Costs
In his latest column, President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman presents his Venn diagram of health care cost problems and shows how, in our fragmented health system, reducing one health cost problem often makes another worse.
More Than 4 in 10 Voters Say the Cost of Health Care Will Have a Major Impact on Their Vote
Looking ahead to the midterm elections, health care costs are the public’s top economic concern, and many voters say the issue will have a major impact on their vote, our new KFF Health Tracking Poll finds. On health care issues, including the cost of health care, voters currently trust Democrats more than Republicans, though neither party has an advantage on addressing the overall cost of living. Following the expiration of the ACA enhanced tax credits, two-thirds of the public say Congress did the “wrong thing” by not extending them.
The Trump Administration’s Latest Expansion of the Mexico City Policy
KFF explores the potential reach of the latest expansion of the Mexico City Policy (MCP) in a new analysis, and discussed the latest developments and what they mean for global health programs in a virtual event.
Medicare Advantage Insurers Made Nearly 53 Million Prior Authorization Determinations in 2024
Nearly 53 million prior authorization requests were submitted to Medicare Advantage insurers on behalf of Medicare Advantage enrollees in 2024, of which 4.1 million (7.7%) were denied. Just 11.5% of denied requests were appealed, though 80.7% of appeals overturned the initial denial in Medicare Advantage. Substantially fewer prior authorization requests were made in traditional Medicare, reflecting the small number of services subject to prior authorization requirements.
‘I Can’t Tell You’: Attorneys, Relatives Struggle To Find Hospitalized ICE Detainees
Some hospitals are registering patients detained by federal immigration officers under pseudonyms and prohibiting staff from contacting family members. Attorneys and health care workers say the practices facilitate rights violations and create ethical concerns. Hospitals say they’re trying to protect patients.
Question of the Week
Which insurer practices were explicitly banned by the ACA in the individual and small-group markets?
This, plus nine other questions in our new ACA quiz.Take the Quiz
Health News
What the Health? The Hazards of ICE for Public Health
Medicare Advantage Insurers Face New Curbs on Overcharges in Trump Plan That Reins in Payments
Sick of Fighting Insurers, Hospitals Offer Their Own Medicare Advantage Plans
When Suicidal Calls Come In, Who Answers? Georgia Crisis Line Response Rates Reveal Gaps
KFF Health News, in collaboration with Cox Media Group, received a 2026 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award — one of journalism’s highest honors. The award recognizes “Social Security’s Secret,” a behind-the-scenes look at the investigative reporting that exposed the real-world impact of Social Security Administration payback demands.
More on Health Policy
ACA Sign-Ups Are Down by Over a Million People, But It’s Still an Incomplete Picture
Abortion Pill Safety Decisions by FDA Were Science-Based, New JAMA Study Finds — The Monitor
Recent Trends in GLP-1 Use and Spending in Medicare
A Closer Look at Nebraska, the First State Planning to Implement a Medicaid Work Requirement
State Health Facts Data Collection: Vaccinations
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