Category: Economy

KFF Health Tracking Poll February 2024: Voters on Two Key Health Care Issues: Affordability and ACA

This poll finds that inflation and health care affordability are the top issues voters want 2024 presidential candidates to discuss, as most rate the economy negatively. Adults worry most about affording unexpected medical bills and health care costs, …

KFF Health Tracking Poll: Economic Views and Experiences of Adults Who Struggle Financially

Half of adults say they have difficulty affording monthly bills or are just able to afford household expenses without having money left over. These groups overwhelmingly rate the economy negatively and are more likely to want 2024 presidential candidat…

Health Care Costs Top the Public’s List of Financial Worries, and Those Who Are Struggling the Most Want to Hear Presidential Candidates Discuss Economic and Health Care Issues

At a time when kitchen table economic problems are on voters’ minds, unexpected medical bills and health care costs top the public’s list of financial concerns, and voters who are struggling to pay their monthly bills are the most eager to hear the pre…

An Early Look at What is Driving Health Costs in 2024 ACA Markets

In their early rate filings, Marketplace insurers are requesting a median premium increase of 6% for 2024, which they say is largely due to price increases for medical care and prescription drugs.

An Early Look at What is Driving Health Costs in 2024 ACA Markets

In their early rate filings, Marketplace insurers are requesting a median premium increase of 6% for 2024, which they say is largely due to price increases for medical care and prescription drugs.

How Does Medical Inflation Compare to Inflation in the Rest of the Economy?

Prices for medical services typically rise more quickly than the broader economy, but the reverse has been true recently as general inflation rose rapidly. This analysis finds that overall prices grew by 6% in February 2023 from the previous year, whil…

Rural Hospitals Have Fared Worse Financially in States that Haven’t Expanded Medicaid Coverage

Rural hospitals fared worse financially in states that have not expanded their Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act than in states that expanded Medicaid, a new KFF analysis finds. Nearly one third of all rural hospitals nationally are in th…

Rural Hospitals Face Renewed Financial Challenges, Especially in States That Have Not Expanded Medicaid

This data note examines rural hospitals’ operating margins in recent years. After seeing higher margins early in the pandemic, likely due to government relief funds, rural hospitals now face renewed challenges, especially in states that have not expand…

How does health spending in the U.S. compare to other countries?

This chart collection compares health care spending in the U.S. and other industrialized countries, including data on health spending per person and the growth rate in recent years and over time.

How has health spending changed over time?

This slideshow examines trends in U.S. health spending over time, including the share of household budgets devoted to health expenses and comparisons of out-of-pocket expenditures to money spent on insurance through 2021.