Insights Column

Our Nation’s Health Depends on Fixing Persistent Health Disparities

With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, more Americans can afford quality health insurance. However, having health insurance does not always equal having access to high-quality health care. This ...

Maine’s Ballot Initiative to Expand Medicaid

A critical test of the popularity of the Affordable Care Act will take place in less than two weeks. On Nov. 7, voters in Maine will cast a vote on Question 2, a ballot initiative to expand Medicaid. ...

Taking on High Prescription Drug Costs in Illinois: Q&A with Rep. Will Guzzardi

Illinois HB 4900 prevents pharmaceutical companies from price gouging on generic drugs Climbing prescription drug prices threaten the health and wellbeing of families and individuals who depend on li...

Per Capita Caps in Medicaid Would Result in Devastating Funding Cuts

Republican plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act—including the American Health Care Act passed by the House—go well beyond repealing the health care law to a wholesale gutting of Medicaid fundin...

There’s No Painless Way to End the Medicaid Expansion

Update (6/8/17): Reports that senators are considering a longer phase-down of the Medicaid expansion do not represent a compromise. A phaseout – no matter the exact length -- is the same as ending ...

The High Administrative Costs of Common Medicaid Expansion Waiver Elements

Montana, the most recent state to extend its Medicaid program to more residents, is wrapping up negotiations with the federal government to determine the logistics of what this alternative expansion p...

How Building a Story Bank Program Can Help Your Organization

Personal stories are one of the most powerful tools an organization can employ in its work. They inspire connection and empathy while simultaneously challenging stereotypes, humanizing policies or sta...

New Oregon Health Study’s Findings Reaffirm That Medicaid Is Good Health Coverage

New findings from the Oregon Health Study reaffirm that Medicaid is good health coverage: The study showed that Medicaid beneficiaries were more likely than the uninsured to receive needed health care...

Republicans’ Empty Promises to Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions

In their effort to repeal the federal health reform law, Republicans in Congress and President Trump have been outspoken in claiming that they plan to protect people with pre-existing conditions. This...

Tackling Health Disparities While Reforming Payment and Delivery

In part 1 of this blog series, we explained that efforts to reform health care delivery and payment methods could be a double-edged sword for communities of color and described one example of a susta...