This Week

The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.

Reaching Voters on Health

BTD-Health-Costs-Polling-April-2026-–-Website

What do voters want to see most on health from candidates? A plan? That they feel their pain? In a new column, Dr. Drew Altman, Founding President and CEO, discusses findings from a new KFF poll, writing: “Voters say what matters most to them is to see candidates show some ‘fight’ by taking on drug and insurance companies they have come to see as villains.” Read the column →

Also, KFF’s new health tracking poll explores the role of health care in the midterm elections, finding that nearly two-thirds (64%) of adults are worried about being able to afford health care costs, on par with the share who now worry about gas and transportation costs (64%). See the poll findings →

Survey Offers Early Look at States’ Differing Approaches to Implementing Medicaid Work Requirements

New: KFF’s 2026 Medicaid Eligibility, Enrollment, and Renewal Policies Annual Survey examines state policy decisions on how to implement work requirements, as required by the 2025 reconciliation law. Read the brief →

KFF hosted a virtual briefing focused on states’ efforts to implement the new Medicaid work and community engagement requirements. Watch and learn more →

And, a companion survey provides a baseline for Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, and renewal policies for older adults and people with disabilities ahead of the potential changes. Read more →

260424_BoH_Eric-Larsen_Thumbnail_YouTube

New Podcast Episode: Health Care’s AI Disruption, Ready or Not

The AI revolution is already here — but what does it mean for patients, clinicians, and health care industry leaders? Eric Larsen, veteran health care strategist and longtime advisor to CEOs across the industry, joins KFF’s host Chip Kahn for a discussion about why the U.S. health care industry is uniquely exposed to AI-driven disruption and the implications for patients, clinicians, and the health care workforce. Listen to Larsen’s take on “the most consequential technology humanity’s ever developed.” Subscribe & Listen

The Growing Use of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care and Implications for Disparities

This brief examines the implications of the growing use of AI for racial and ethnic disparities in health and health care and discusses factors that can help reduce AI-related bias in health care.

Abortion Coverage Limitations in Medicaid and Private Insurance Plans

This brief reviews current federal and state policies on Medicaid and insurance coverage of abortion services in the U.S. and presents national and state estimates on the availability of abortion coverage for people enrolled in private plans, Marketplace plans, and Medicaid.

Learn more →

What the Health? The Peculiar Politics of Hospitals

Democrats and Republicans on a House panel that oversees Medicare had strong words about high hospital pricing at a hearing this week, but it remains unclear whether reality will match the rhetoric when it comes to reining in those prices. Meanwhile, a study found the 988 suicide prevention hotline reduced suicides significantly in its first two years.

Listen →