worlds Insurance blog

This volume examines how prompting techniques can reduce incorrect medical information from AI chatbots; false claims linking vaccines to sudden infant death syndrome; the promotion of an industrial solvent as an allegedly suppressed cancer cure; misunderstandings about the risks of overdose from fentanyl exposure; and ongoing myths about sunscreen safety. from KFF https://ift.tt/3syo91Z

In July 2025, the Trump administration announced a new effort (“Making Health Tech Great Again”) towards health data interchange.. This brief describes the new, voluntary Trump administration interoperability initiative, provides an overview of key health information technology laws and regulations, and highlights some of the challenges and limitations of these efforts. from KFF https://ift.tt/oV0wmMx

This analysis examines the recent growth of Medicare Advantage as a share of hospital inpatient days. Medicare Advantage rose from 13% to 25% of all inpatient days from 2015 to 2023, although there was wide variation among hospitals. from KFF https://ift.tt/SsYZjHQ

This brief examines the income, assets, and home equity of Medicare beneficiaries, overall and by age, race and ethnicity, and gender, using data derived from the Dynamic Simulation of Income Model (DYNASIM) for 2024. The analysis highlights that most Medicare beneficiaries live on relatively low incomes and have modest financial resources to draw upon in retirement if they need to cover costly medical care or long-term services and supports, with notable disparities by age, race and ethnicity, and gender. from KFF https://ift.tt/YklVaCA

Some insurers in the ACA’s small group market are citing tariffs, particularly those affecting prescriptions drugs, as a reason for higher-than-expected premium increases. from KFF https://ift.tt/dXLykF3

On July 11, CMS notified states that, going forward, it does not anticipate approving new 1115 demonstration workforce initiatives or extending existing waivers. Such changes may limit states’ abilities to pursue initiatives investing in the Medicaid workforce, from KFF https://ift.tt/6JQ5ImH

To document the affordability challenges posed by out-of-pocket health care costs for people with Medicare, this brief analyzes out-of-pocket health care costs as a share of Social Security income and total income, including other sources of income in addition to Social Security. from KFF https://ift.tt/7btdOlq

This timeline provides a detailed overview of actions, including counter-actions, related to the administration’s efforts to freeze all U.S. foreign aid and dissolve the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). from KFF https://ift.tt/CwFUHcQ

This volume analyzes findings from the latest KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust, which show that just over half of adults say they use social media to find health information and advice, but less than half trust the health content they see across an array of social media sites and apps. It also examines false claims linking a mercury-based vaccine preservative to autism, following a federal decision to withdraw recommendations for flu vaccines containing the compound. In addition, it explores misleading narratives about antidepressant use during pregnancy and unproven claims about the health benefits of nicotine. from KFF https://ift.tt/bVGasym

This guide provides an overview of executive orders and other executive actions made by the Trump Administration since January 21, 2025 that directly address or affect U.S. global health efforts. This resource identifies each executive action, describes its purpose and actions taken, and outlines the implications and what happens next for each. The resource will be updated as needed. from KFF https://ift.tt/ql3r1nk

The Survey of 1988 NFL players, conducted by KFF in partnership with ESPN, looks at the overall health and well-being of former professional football players who played in the 1988 NFL season. While many are grappling with the immense toll the sport has taken on their physical and neurological health, most say they would do it all over again. from KFF https://ift.tt/ahrxMuP

This volume analyzes findings from the latest KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust, which show that just over half of adults say they use social media to find health information and advice, but less than half trust the health content they see across an array of social media sites and apps. It also examines false claims linking a mercury-based vaccine preservative to autism, following a federal decision to withdraw recommendations for flu vaccines containing the compound. In addition, it explores misleading narratives about antidepressant use during pregnancy and unproven claims about the health benefits of nicotine. from KFF https://ift.tt/eyzpuHN

A new analysis shows that individuals with employer insurance could save 41% on their out-of-pocket spending for asthma and COPD inhalers through manufacturer savings. In response to a U.S. Senate investigation into inhaler costs, 3 drug makers voluntarily capped out-of-pocket costs on their brand-name asthma and COPD inhalers. from KFF https://ift.tt/2eCcRW4

This brief examines state consent requirements for minors accessing contraceptive and abortion care, processes for minors to attempt to obtain abortion without parental involvement, and trends in state policy increasing requirements for parental involvement in minors’ health care decisions. from KFF https://ift.tt/6DQJmIy

KFF's Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust finds that just over half of adults use social media for health information and advice at least occasionally but fewer than half say they find “most” or “some” of the information they see on each platform trustworthy. from KFF https://ift.tt/m2Gb8ph

This analysis of initial rate filings from all 50 states and DC shows ACA Marketplace insurers are proposing a median premium increase of 18% for 2026, more than double last year’s 7% median proposed increase. The analysis includes proposed rate changes by state and insurer. from KFF https://ift.tt/euOf5mS

This issue brief provides an update on the latest trends in kindergarten children's routine vaccination and exemption rates. Over three-quarters (39) of states had measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)vaccination rates below the “target” rate of 95% for the 2024-2025 school year. from KFF https://ift.tt/zcqsAJo

As part of the 2024 KFF Women’s Health Survey, a nationally representative sample of 1,191 men ages 18 to 64 were surveyed on a broad range of health issues. This data note highlights their responses to their experiences, knowledge, and perspectives about vasectomy services. from KFF https://ift.tt/4XYnLZW

This fact sheet explains the types of permanent contraception or sterilization procedures available, reviews private insurance and Medicaid coverage policy, and discusses issues that affect availability in the U.S. from KFF https://ift.tt/mxkV6Sy

This chart collection explores how health spending is expected to grow in coming years, with a look at growth in prescription drug spending, out-of-pocket spending, and related trends. from KFF https://ift.tt/BX8h1gI

Section 1115 Medicaid waivers can allow states to test new approaches in Medicaid that differ from what is required by federal law. This page tracks approved and pending waiver provisions (including expansions and restrictions) related to eligibility, benefits, and social determinants of health and other delivery system reforms. from KFF https://ift.tt/aXTJv59

On July 4, President Trump signed the budget reconciliation bill, previously known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” into law. This summary provides background, description, budgetary impact and related information on the health care provisions of the law in four categories: Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). from KFF https://ift.tt/WKyTnm2

This searchable timeline shows the implementation date for the health care provisions included in the 2025 federal budget reconciliation law. previously known as "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." It includes provisions related to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). from KFF https://ift.tt/SV6BOoA

This tracker examines Executive Actions taken by the Trump administration that have the potential to impact LGBTQ+ people’s health. It lists the action taken by date, provisions relevant to LGBTQ+ health, and describes potential impact, including litigation challenging these actions. from KFF https://ift.tt/Q5xYL49

As federal vaccine policy changes, this poll finds that most adults do not expect to get a COVID-19 vaccine this fall , and many parents are confused and uncertain about whether the vaccine is recommended for healthy children this year. About one in adults nationally say the changes to vaccine policy are making people safer, while more than a third say they are making people less safe. from KFF https://ift.tt/0AWeBJY

As federal vaccine policy changes, most (59%) adults do not expect to get a COVID-19 vaccine this fall, while four in 10 (40%) say that they will “definitely” or “probably” get the shot, a new KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust finds. The groups most likely to say they will “probably” or “definitely” … More from KFF https://ift.tt/EGkTbPQ