The ‘Pandemic Agreement’: What it is, What it isn’t, and What it Could Mean for the U.S. April 1, 2024 Issue Brief Countries are seeking to create a new ‘pandemic agreement’ at WHO to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. This brief explains what the pandemic agreement is, where the U.S. stands on issues included in the agreement, and potential outcomes of the ongoing negotiations. It also evaluates several criticisms of the agreement and the evidence for each.
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.
Gaps in Medicare Advantage Data Remain Despite CMS Actions to Increase Transparency April 10, 2024 Issue Brief The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has recently taken actions to increase transparency in Medicare Advantage, however substantial data gaps remain that limit the ability of policymakers and researchers to conduct oversight and assess the program’s performance, and for Medicare beneficiaries to compare Medicare Advantage plans offered in their area.
What to Watch in 2024: The Latest Health Cost and Affordability Issues and Trends January 24, 2024 News Release While issues of health care costs and affordability may not be at the forefront of this year’s election issues, they remain a major concern among the public. About a quarter of Americans say they or a family member struggled to pay their medical bills just in the past year, and…
Health Cost and Affordability Policy Issues and Trends to Watch in 2024 January 24, 2024 Issue Brief While issues of health care costs and affordability may not be at the forefront of this year’s election issues, they remain a major concern among the public. About a quarter of Americans say they or a family member struggled to pay their medical bills just in the past year, and…
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Medical Advancements and Technologies February 22, 2024 Issue Brief This brief provides an overview of diversity in clinical trials, disparities in access to novel drug therapies and other treatments, and the implications for health and health care.
What to Know About the FDA’s Recent Decision to Allow Florida to Import Prescription Drugs from Canada January 12, 2024 Blog Florida’s plan to import certain prescription drugs from Canada represents the first time the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted authority for a state to safely import prescription drugs from another country. This policy watch analysis unpacks some frequently asked questions related to state of Florida’s importation plan, including potential obstacles to implementation, who will benefit from any savings, and what types of drugs will (and will not) qualify for importation.
What Are the Implications of the Recent Elimination of the Medicaid Prescription Drug Rebate Cap? January 16, 2024 Blog This policy watch explains the Medicaid prescription drug rebate cap, examines how many drugs might be impacted, and explores the implications of recent manufacturer responses for Medicaid programs and enrollees.
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.
Why Affordability Is the Big Tent February 20, 2024 From Drew Altman In this column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman explores why the public’s concerns about out-of-pocket health costs make health care affordability the health policy issue most likely to resonate with voters across the political spectrum.