The Comstock Act: Implications for Abortion Care Nationwide April 15, 2024 Issue Brief This brief provides background on the Comstock Act, reviews how it has been interpreted by the Biden Administration’s DOJ, and considers how it could be enforced by an administration that is hostile toward abortion to severely restrict the distribution of drugs and supplies used for abortion, with implications for abortion access in all states across the country.
What resources are available for privately insured patients who get surprise balance bills? March 19, 2024 Issue Brief Most patients do not know about the new surprise billing protections and likely also do not know of resources available to seek recourse for incorrect medical bills. This brief provides resources to privately insured patients who receive surprise balance bills and also summarizes relevant policies and how they apply to balance billing.
“Healthification”: The Good and Bad of Making Everything a Health Issue May 8, 2024 From Drew Altman In his new column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman discusses the pros and cons of labeling socio-economic problems as health issues.
SCOTUS Case Could Weaken the Impact of Regulation on Key Patient and Consumer Protections April 9, 2024 Issue Brief This brief discusses the longstanding legal doctrine, Chevron deference, being challenged in two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and includes examples of what could be at stake for health care consumers should federal courts no longer use this doctrine to address litigation related to federal health regulations. The focus here is on patient and consumer protection regulation, but overturning the Chevron deference would have implications in all areas of health care.
1 in 8 Voters Say Abortion Is Most Important to Their Vote: They Lean Democratic, Support Biden, and Want Abortion to Be Legal March 7, 2024 News Release About 1 in 8 voters (12%) now say that abortion is the most important issue for their vote in the 2024 elections, highlighting how the issue could motivate groups of voters who largely say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, a new KFF Health Tracking Poll finds.…
What’s at Stake for Access to Medication Abortion and the FDA in the Supreme Court Case FDA v. the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine? March 21, 2024 Issue Brief The Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguments for the case FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine. This brief explains the issues at stake before the court and their implications for the drug regulatory process and medication abortion access throughout the country.
Race, Inequality, and Health May 28, 2024 Page This Health Policy 101 chapter provides an overview of racial and ethnic disparities in health and health care and the factors that drive them, including the role of historical events and social and economic factors. It discusses why addressing disparities is important for health and economic prosperity, reviews recent actions to address disparities, and outlines future considerations.
Oral Contraceptive Pills: Access and Availability March 20, 2024 Issue Brief This brief provides an overview of oral contraception, discusses private insurance and Medicaid coverage, and reviews strategies to promote and expand women’s access to oral contraceptives.
How Present-Day Health Disparities for Black People Are Linked to Past Policies and Events February 22, 2024 Issue Brief This brief examines how past policies and events are linked to present-day disparities among Black people in health and health care.
Abortions Later in Pregnancy in a Post-Dobbs Era February 21, 2024 Issue Brief This brief explains why individuals may seek abortions later in pregnancy, how often these procedures occur, and the various laws which regulate access to abortions later in pregnancy across the country.