This Week
The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.
The Role Health Care May Play in the 2026 Election
Ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, KFF examines the role health care has played in previous elections and what that may suggest about its potential role in 2026. KFF polls have consistently found that the cost of health care is an important part of voters’ economic concerns.
The New Ideas Conundrum in Health Policy
In a new column, President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman writes about the “conundrum of health policy ideas” facing Democrats searching for new proposals because of competing, and complex, priorities: rebuilding Medicaid and the ACA after trillion-dollar cuts, reconstructing federal health agencies, and tackling underlying health care costs, when candidates want simple ideas they can campaign on and voters want their costs to come down.
Timely insights and analysis from KFF staff
“Because the information is aggregated across all items and services (except prescription drugs), with no breakdown about what types of services are being approved and denied, these statistics provide limited insight into insurers’ prior authorization practices.” Read more.
Kaye Pestaina
Vice President
Director, Program on Patient and Consumer Protection
Public Opinion on Prescription Drugs and Their Prices
This chart collection draws on recent KFF poll findings to provide an in-depth look at the public’s attitudes toward prescription drugs and their prices. Results include the U.S. public’s experiences with prescription drug costs, use of GLP-1 medications, and support for policy solutions.
States Pay Deloitte, Others Millions To Comply With Trump Law To Cut Medicaid Rolls
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will add red tape and restrictions for those seeking Medicaid and SNAP benefits. And the costs to update computer systems that determine eligibility for those programs will be steep.
After Man’s Death Following Insurance Denials, West Virginia Tackles Prior Authorization
After Eric Tennant died, his widow vowed to speak out against West Virginia’s Public Employees Insurance Agency, which had denied cancer treatment recommended by Tennant’s doctor. Her efforts paid off. In March, West Virginia’s governor signed a bill to protect some patients from harm tied to prior authorization.
Question of the Week
Last week, 50% correctly answered that 77% of the public says they are concerned about the privacy of personal medical information provided to AI tools.
What percentage of adults say they are worried about being able to afford prescription drug costs for themselves or their families?
See how many readers answered correctly in the next edition of This Week.
Health News
Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act Darkens Outlook for Government-Backed Clinics
What the Health? GOP Mulls More Health Cuts
State-Run Insurance Plans for Foster Kids Leave Some of Them Without Doctors
US Scientists Sequence 1,000 Genomes From Measles, a Disease Long Eliminated With Vaccines
Trump’s Hunt for Undocumented Medicaid Enrollees Yields Few Violators
Inside the High-Stakes Corporate Fight Over Feeding Preterm Babies
Tax Time Brings Surprises for Some Who Receive ACA Subsidies
More on Health Policy
Tracking Implementation of the 2025 Reconciliation Law: Medicaid Work Requirements Data and Policies
How Does U.S. Life Expectancy Compare to Other Countries?
Policy Tracker: Exceptions to State Abortion Bans and Early Gestational Limits
Overview of President Trump’s Executive Actions on Global Health
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