This Week

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

Exploring the New Medicaid Work Requirements Rule From CMS

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On June 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued an interim final rule on Medicaid work requirements that adopts a restrictive definition of medical frailty — differing from states’ early expectations. KFF’s Jennifer Tolbert explains why the more restrictive definition of medical frailty adopted by the Trump Administration will be challenging for states to implement and could lead to more people falling through the cracks and losing coverage.

Also, our What the Health? podcast covers the CMS interim final rule, discussing how the policy is going to cost states tens of millions of dollars in new hires, contracts, communication campaigns, and tech systems, which state officials say is coming when budget pressures are already high.

Listen to the episode →

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Medicare Advantage in 2026: Enrollment Update and Key Trends

A new analysis, focusing on enrollment trends, finds that 55% of eligible Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage in 2026, though the pace of enrollment growth continued to slow.

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A companion analysis that provides information about premiums, out-of-pocket limits, supplemental benefits, and prior authorization finds that three-quarters (75%) of enrollees in individual Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage pay no premium other than the Medicare Part B premium, and that nearly all enrollees are in plans that require prior authorization for some services.

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Festering Infections to Untreated Cancer: ICE Detainees Describe Medical Neglect Across US

Immigrant detainees have told courts across the nation that detention officials have failed to treat or stabilize their conditions, from pregnancy to prostate cancer, suggesting that systemic lapses in care extend well beyond record deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.

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Child Enrollment in Medicaid/CHIP Dropped Below Pre-Pandemic Levels for the First Time

In February 2026, there were 345,000 fewer children enrolled in Medicaid/the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) compared to before the start of the pandemic in February 2020, a 1% decline, according to the latest data from CMS.

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Question of the Week

Last week, 13% of readers answered correctly that 23% of Medicare beneficiaries who received Social Security benefits in 2025 relied on Social Security income for 90% or more of their total per capita income.