Larry Levitt
EVP for Health Policy at KFF; explains health policy, insurance markets, Medicare/Medicaid, and affordability (incl. prior authorization and payer burden).
ACA Deductibles Surge $1,000 as Subsidies End
New: The average ACA deductible has jumped by over $1,000 per person in 2026 as people switched to lower premium plans with higher deductibles as Congress allowed enhanced premium subsidies to expire.
Single‑payer Health Care Becomes CA Governor Race Flashpoint
Single-payer health care is emerging as a flashpoint in the CA governor’s race. It would cover everyone, lower out-of-pocket costs, and potentially lower health spending overall. It would also redistribute financing from premiums and deductibles to taxes, and require numerous...
MAHA Voters Demand Affordable Care, yet Agenda Cuts It
Improving affordability is the top health care priority of MAHA voters. But, it hasn't been a major part of the MAHA policy agenda. In fact, Medicaid cuts and expiration of enhanced ACA premium subsidies move in the opposite direction. https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/kff-health-tracking-poll-maha-and-the-midterms/
Telehealth and Mail‑order Meds Sustain Abortion Access Post‑Roe
Telehealth and abortion medication delivered by mail have been instrumental in helping to preserve access following the Supreme Court’s decision overturning the right to an abortion. https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/key-facts-on-abortion-in-the-united-states/
Health Care Ranks Equal to Gas in Voter Concerns
Even as gas prices cause real pain for consumers and dominate the news, our new poll finds health care tied with gas as the public's top economic worries. Health care affordability is a big issue for voters this year. https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/kff-health-tracking-poll-health-care-costs-and-the-midterms/
Insurers Profit From Rising Costs, yet Add Little Value
Insurers are not directly the primary cause of health spending growth. But, with major insurers posting strong profits as health care costs grow, it’s reasonable to ask what value they provide for the overhead they consume. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2848374
Unstable Jobs and Bureaucracy Push Families Into Health Crises
The latest episode of The Pitt shows how people fall through the cracks. A mom works as a hair stylist with unpredictable income and misses the Medicaid renewal notice when they changed apartments. Her teenaged son ends up in the...
One in Five Claims Denied Sparks Systemwide Frustration
When one out of five health insurance claims get denied, you can understand why patients, doctors, and hospitals get frustrated. https://www.kff.org/patient-consumer-protections/claims-denials-and-appeals-in-aca-marketplace-plans-in-2024/
Congress Curbs Investors in Housing, Ignores Health Care
It's interesting that Congress is moving to restrict institutional investors from buying up homes, but there's no similar effort for health care.
Job Market Slips as Medicaid Work Rules Tighten
The job market is weakening as work requirements are poised to go into effect for Medicaid and ACA premium assistance is decreasing.
TrumpRx Cuts Cash Prices, but Offers Little New Savings
President Trump negotiated lower prices for some drugs on TrumpRx, but discounts only apply to cash paying patients not using their insurance. Many drugs already had big discounts through manufacturers or coupons, and some have generic equivalents that are already...
Trump Pushes Secret Drug Deals Into Law Despite Opacity
President Trump has called for his deals with drug companies to be enacted into legislation. It's hard to know what that means since the deals are not public.
Health Insurance: So Complex Even a Quiz Stumps You
We have a new quiz on how health insurance works. But, it's really a statement about how utterly complex health insurance is in the U.S. https://www.kff.org/private-insurance/quiz-how-well-do-you-understand-your-health-insurance/
Insurance Doesn't Prevent Massive Medical Debt, Even for Celebrities
When a celebrity tragically dies with massive medical debt, I’m left with the questions. Did they have insurance? People with insurance absolutely have medical debt, but out-of-pocket costs are capped. Debt may be from out-of-network care, claims denials, or unocvered...