This Week

The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.

Costs, Coverage, and Enrollment Changes: Exploring Current Public Opinion and Policy on the ACA Marketplaces

KFF held a virtual event focused on the costs, coverage, and enrollment trends in the ACA Marketplaces, discussing current views of Marketplace enrollees based on our latest survey and reviewing recent policy developments. KFF's President and CEO, Dr. Drew Altman, framed the conversation, offering perspective on how these changes, as well as broader health care affordability challenges, are driving health care costs to the top of voters' minds.

Watch the event →

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Poll: 1 in 3 Adults Turning to AI for Health Information and Advice

This poll finds that about as many adults are turning to AI for health information as social media, with health care costs and access driving many users, particularly younger users. Explore the findings →

How the War in Iran May Affect Health Care in the Midterms

In a new column, KFF President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman discusses the impact of the war in Iran and rising gas prices on voter concerns about health care costs. He writes: "Recently, we saw health care costs rise to the top of the public's list of economic worries, ahead of food, housing, utility costs and the cost of gas… Expect gas prices to rise and health care costs to fall on the list of affordability worries while the war in Iran lasts, but then to return to the top or near the top when President Trump decides to declare the major hostilities over, the Strait of Hormuz is open, and gas prices come down… health care costs have staying power as one of the top voter concerns."

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Trends in Competition Among Hospitals and Health Systems

An updated KFF analysis finds that nearly half (47%) of metropolitan areas across the country had only one or two hospitals or health systems providing general inpatient hospital care in 2024.

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Give and Take: Federal Rural Health Funding Could Trigger Service Cuts

States are rolling out plans for their share of a $50 billion fund meant to improve rural health care. In some states, the money may provoke rural hospitals to cut services.

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Question of the Week

Last week, 53% correctly answered that among those who re-enrolled in an ACA Marketplace plan in 2026, 55% say they have cut or plan to cut spending on food or other basic household expenses to afford their health care costs.