Coronavirus (COVID-19)

KFF’s Jen Kates and Josh Michaud discuss the coronavirus outbreak and address questions such as how this epidemic compare to previous ones, how epidemiological models work and how reliable are they, and was China’s approach to social distancing more effective? Kates and Michaud on March 30 were featured guests in The Commonwealth Club of California’s continuing virtual series on the coronavirus outbreak.

The $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act contains $100 billion for hospitals. This post examines key questions about how that money will be used.

With much of the news focused on the surge capacity of the nation’s hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, Drew Altman’s Axios column examines why the nation has a shortage of hospital beds and what can be done about it.

Our 18th annual 50-state survey of Medicaid and CHIP eligibility, enrollment, renewal, and cost sharing policies provides data on policies in place as of January 2020 and serves as a benchmark against which we can measure state actions to respond to COVID-19 and the economic crisis.

Compared to most similarly large and wealthy countries, the U.S. has fewer practicing physicians per capita but has a similar number of licensed nurses per capita. Looking specifically at the hospital setting, the U.S. has more hospital-based employees per capita than most other comparable countries, but nearly half of these hospital workers are non-clinical staff.

With unemployment claims rising amid the COVID-19 crisis, this post examines options for people who lose job-based coverage and steps policymakers could take to smooth their transitions.

This 18th annual survey of the 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC) provides data on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility, enrollment, renewal, and cost sharing policies as of January 2020. The survey findings highlight state variation in policies that affect individuals’ ability to access coverage and care amid the COVID-19 public health crisis. They also provide examples of actions states can take to expand eligibility and simplify enrollment to respond to the COVID-19 epidemic.

As the coronavirus continues to spread, the number of people on Medicare admitted to the hospital for COVID-19 related illness is expected to rise. We analyze how much Medicare beneficiaries could pay out-of-pocket for an inpatient hospital admission under traditional Medicare (assuming no supplemental coverage) or Medicare Advantage plans.

A summary of key provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that addresses the domestic coronavirus outbreak, including paid sick leave, insurance coverage of coronavirus testing, nutrition assistance, and unemployment benefits.

This post examines the Affordable Care Act’s impact 10 years after its enactment and how its provisions, especially those that expand coverage opportunities, could address the health threat and economic upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic.