Policy Watch
Quick-hitting policy analysis, polling, and updates on the key issues facing the country.
How HHS, FDA, and CDC Can Influence U.S. Vaccine Policy
This policy brief highlights areas in which HHS, FDA, and CDC have authority to shape U.S. vaccine policy with a specific focus on vaccine approvals and recommendations for the public. Ultimately, while there are limits, federal officials have significant authority to influence and alter vaccine policy, which could affect vaccine availability, views about vaccines, and vaccine use in the U.S. However, this does not include imposing mandates on or changing local vaccination requirements, as those authorities rest with state and local governments.
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Childhood Vaccination Rates Continue to Decline as Trump Heads for a Second Term
This policy watch provides an update on the latest trends in children’s routine vaccination and exemption rates and discusses how these trends could be impacted by the administration change.
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What Administrative Changes Can Trump Make to Medicaid?
With Donald Trump returning to the presidency, the future of Medicaid is uncertain. While Medicaid did not receive a lot of attention directly during the campaign, Trump’s first term can shed light on potential changes that could be implemented administratively without Congress.
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Ten Things to Watch for 2025 ACA Open Enrollment
This blog post details ten things to know about the 2025 open enrollment period.
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Follow the Money: How Medicaid Financing Works and What That Means for Proposals to Change it
Medicaid financing is complex. This policy watch explains how Medicaid financing works, describes various conservative proposals to change Medicaid financing, and explores the implications of those changes for states and enrollees.
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Access to Pregnancy and Parenting Support Services: Women’s Views and Experiences from the 2024 KFF Women’s Health Survey
This analysis, based on findings from the 2024 KFF Women’s Health Survey, focuses on women with children ages 5 & under and their perceptions on how easy or difficult they feel it is to access a range of services that are important to the health of women and families, including maternity care, Medicaid coverage, food stamps, contraceptive services, and affordable childcare.
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