The Symbolic Manipulation of Health Issues in Elections March 15, 2024 From Drew Altman KFF President and CEO Drew Altman explains why data and facts, policy plans and lists of accomplishments do not connect with many voters. Understanding the symbolic dimensions of politics and issues is critical for experts. We can reach a share of the public with facts and data but need additional strategies to reach everyone, including storytelling and trusted messengers.
Most Parents Haven’t Heard Misinformation About the Measles Vaccine though Significant Shares Are Uncertain About the Validity of Claims March 14, 2024 News Release As rates of childhood vaccination decline and with measles on the rise again, a KFF Health Misinformation Tracking Poll, fielded in late February, examines the extent to which adults have heard and believe misinformation about the measles vaccine. The poll also examines the public’s views of the U.S. government and…
Measles Vaccines and Misinformation in the Courts: A Snapshot From the KFF Health Misinformation Tracking Poll March 14, 2024 Poll Finding The latest KFF Health Misinformation Tracking Poll examines misinformation related to the measles vaccine and the public’s views of the U.S. government and social media companies’ role in moderating false claims online.
It’s Not a Health Care Election, But Health Issues Might Still Add Up February 28, 2024 From Drew Altman In this column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman explores the potential for some health care issues—including abortion, drug costs and other affordability challenges—to influence enough voters in swing states to make a difference in this year’s presidential election.
The Health Wonk Shop: Prior Authorization in Health Insurance: A Needed Tool to Contain Costs or an Excessive Barrier to Needed Care? February 22, 2024 Event Nearly 1 in 5 consumers with health insurance say their insurer delayed or denied care in the past year due to its requirements for prior authorization, a process through which insurers can require patients to obtain approval in advance before they will agree to cover specific services. Insurers…
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.
KFF Health News and CBS News Win 2023 George Polk Award for Medical Reporting February 19, 2024 News Release KFF Health News won the 2023 George Polk Award for Medical Journalism for its year-long investigation with CBS News into the failure of FDA-approved medical devices that were suspected of contributing to thousands of injuries and patient deaths. The George Polk Awards were established in 1949 by Long Island University…
What the Data Show: Firearms Violence February 16, 2024 Slide The U.S. has by far the highest homicide by firearm rate among similarly large and wealthy countries, including among children and teens.
The Shifting Sands for State Medicaid Programs Lurking in Our Data February 12, 2024 From Drew Altman KFF President and CEO Drew Altman examines the coming squeeze on state budgets and state Medicaid programs, stemming from declining federal matching funds, weakening state revenues, and competing state priorities, and the challenges it poses for states seeking to strengthen their programs and try innovative new approaches.