Larry Levitt
@larrylevitt.bsky.social
Executive Vice President for Health Policy, KFF. Cal Bear.
https://www.kff.org/person/larry-levitt/
https://www.kff.org/person/larry-levitt/
Reposted by Larry Levitt
PhRMA pointed to hospitals in today’s E&C hearing as lead villains in rising healthcare costs. “hospital spending has continued to go up. It is the largest part of our healthcare system..we spend almost half of every dollar in healthcare on hospitals.. a lot of that is driven by.. consolidation”
Hospitals accounted for 40% of the growth in U.S. health spending from 2022 to 2024, and one-third of the increase in spending over the last two decades.
www.kff.org/health-costs...
www.kff.org/health-costs...
Hospital Spending Accounted for 40% of the Growth in National Health Spending Between 2022 and 2024 | KFF
This data note analyzes the extent to which hospital spending has contributed to the growth in national health expenditures in recent years and over the long term using data from the Centers for Medic...
www.kff.org
February 11, 2026 at 9:17 PM
PhRMA pointed to hospitals in today’s E&C hearing as lead villains in rising healthcare costs. “hospital spending has continued to go up. It is the largest part of our healthcare system..we spend almost half of every dollar in healthcare on hospitals.. a lot of that is driven by.. consolidation”
Hospitals accounted for 40% of the growth in U.S. health spending from 2022 to 2024, and one-third of the increase in spending over the last two decades.
www.kff.org/health-costs...
www.kff.org/health-costs...
Hospital Spending Accounted for 40% of the Growth in National Health Spending Between 2022 and 2024 | KFF
This data note analyzes the extent to which hospital spending has contributed to the growth in national health expenditures in recent years and over the long term using data from the Centers for Medic...
www.kff.org
February 11, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Hospitals accounted for 40% of the growth in U.S. health spending from 2022 to 2024, and one-third of the increase in spending over the last two decades.
www.kff.org/health-costs...
www.kff.org/health-costs...
Get ready to get super wonky as we talk about consolidation and vertical integration in health care on the next KFF Health Wonk Shop on February 18. Register here.
www.kff.org/event/consol...
www.kff.org/event/consol...
Consolidation and Integration in Health Care: What It Means for Patients, Payers, and Policy | KFF
News reports across the country trumpet major mergers and consolidation involving health insurers, physician practices, pharmacy benefits managers, hospitals and health systems, and other providers, i...
www.kff.org
February 11, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Get ready to get super wonky as we talk about consolidation and vertical integration in health care on the next KFF Health Wonk Shop on February 18. Register here.
www.kff.org/event/consol...
www.kff.org/event/consol...
Reposted by Larry Levitt
KFF’s @larrylevitt.bsky.social briefly shared things to consider regarding #TrumpRx on @ruralimpactpodcast.bsky.social podcast last week.
Catch up on the full episode about President Trump’s recent healthcare plan before the Trump Rx announcement tonight. https://on.kff.org/4aoFIcW
Catch up on the full episode about President Trump’s recent healthcare plan before the Trump Rx announcement tonight. https://on.kff.org/4aoFIcW
February 5, 2026 at 8:59 PM
KFF’s @larrylevitt.bsky.social briefly shared things to consider regarding #TrumpRx on @ruralimpactpodcast.bsky.social podcast last week.
Catch up on the full episode about President Trump’s recent healthcare plan before the Trump Rx announcement tonight. https://on.kff.org/4aoFIcW
Catch up on the full episode about President Trump’s recent healthcare plan before the Trump Rx announcement tonight. https://on.kff.org/4aoFIcW
New: It's going to take months, and maybe even over a year, before we really know how many ACA enrollees have dropped their insurance because their premium payments have skyrocketed due to the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits.
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
February 5, 2026 at 2:58 PM
New: It's going to take months, and maybe even over a year, before we really know how many ACA enrollees have dropped their insurance because their premium payments have skyrocketed due to the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits.
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
This season of The Pitt hasn't exactly followed the storylines I suggested, but it has been very compelling in illustrating how health policy affects people.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Potential Storylines From Trump-Era Health Care Cuts
This JAMA Forum discusses the ramifications of the Republican tax and spending law and presents storylines that may be used in the next season of the television show The Pitt to illustrate these healt...
jamanetwork.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:02 PM
This season of The Pitt hasn't exactly followed the storylines I suggested, but it has been very compelling in illustrating how health policy affects people.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
New: Health care affordability is a big concern for people. But, don't underestimate the complexity of our health insurance system as a burden, especially prior authorization.
www.kff.org/public-opini...
www.kff.org/public-opini...
February 2, 2026 at 3:09 PM
New: Health care affordability is a big concern for people. But, don't underestimate the complexity of our health insurance system as a burden, especially prior authorization.
www.kff.org/public-opini...
www.kff.org/public-opini...
Medicare Advantage insurers made 53 million prior authorization determinations in 2024. That's an average of 1.7 determinations per enrollee. It's no wonder patients, physicians, and hospitals find the system burdensome and complex.
www.kff.org/medicare/med...
www.kff.org/medicare/med...
January 29, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Medicare Advantage insurers made 53 million prior authorization determinations in 2024. That's an average of 1.7 determinations per enrollee. It's no wonder patients, physicians, and hospitals find the system burdensome and complex.
www.kff.org/medicare/med...
www.kff.org/medicare/med...
Reposted by Larry Levitt
"Great Healthcare Plan!" What's in it? What can states expect from cost shifts related to SNAP? @mrbimpact.bsky.social welcomes @larrylevitt.bsky.social, @kff.org, and Gina Plata-Nino, FRAC, to break it down and connect the dots. https://youtu.be/LLqCFKsNjn4
January 29, 2026 at 2:41 PM
"Great Healthcare Plan!" What's in it? What can states expect from cost shifts related to SNAP? @mrbimpact.bsky.social welcomes @larrylevitt.bsky.social, @kff.org, and Gina Plata-Nino, FRAC, to break it down and connect the dots. https://youtu.be/LLqCFKsNjn4
New federal data shows 23 million people have signed up for ACA coverage, 1.3 million fewer than last year as enhanced tax credits expire.
The number of people losing coverage will rise as people can't make their premium payments, which are more than doubling on average.
www.cms.gov/newsroom/fac...
The number of people losing coverage will rise as people can't make their premium payments, which are more than doubling on average.
www.cms.gov/newsroom/fac...
January 28, 2026 at 8:01 PM
New federal data shows 23 million people have signed up for ACA coverage, 1.3 million fewer than last year as enhanced tax credits expire.
The number of people losing coverage will rise as people can't make their premium payments, which are more than doubling on average.
www.cms.gov/newsroom/fac...
The number of people losing coverage will rise as people can't make their premium payments, which are more than doubling on average.
www.cms.gov/newsroom/fac...
When you think about us having a health care cost problem, which part of this Venn diagram comes to mind first?
@drewaltman.bsky.social
www.kff.org/from-drew-al...
@drewaltman.bsky.social
www.kff.org/from-drew-al...
January 28, 2026 at 3:19 PM
When you think about us having a health care cost problem, which part of this Venn diagram comes to mind first?
@drewaltman.bsky.social
www.kff.org/from-drew-al...
@drewaltman.bsky.social
www.kff.org/from-drew-al...
The effects of enhanced ACA premium subsidies expiring are starting to hit home.
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
January 27, 2026 at 2:49 PM
The effects of enhanced ACA premium subsidies expiring are starting to hit home.
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
Reposted by Larry Levitt
Thank you, @larrylevitt.bsky.social
For 24 Years, nurses have been voted the most honest + ethical profession! We’re guided by our Code of Ethics which applies to patient care + practice decisions, professional integrity, social justice, and health equity.
news.gallup.com/poll/700736/...
For 24 Years, nurses have been voted the most honest + ethical profession! We’re guided by our Code of Ethics which applies to patient care + practice decisions, professional integrity, social justice, and health equity.
news.gallup.com/poll/700736/...
January 26, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Thank you, @larrylevitt.bsky.social
For 24 Years, nurses have been voted the most honest + ethical profession! We’re guided by our Code of Ethics which applies to patient care + practice decisions, professional integrity, social justice, and health equity.
news.gallup.com/poll/700736/...
For 24 Years, nurses have been voted the most honest + ethical profession! We’re guided by our Code of Ethics which applies to patient care + practice decisions, professional integrity, social justice, and health equity.
news.gallup.com/poll/700736/...
Reposted by Larry Levitt
Add a mention of firefighters and one might call this Bob Blendon's Law (IYKYK)
(Very true, though, and very consequential.)
(Very true, though, and very consequential.)
You can't find anyone more trusted in health care -- or maybe anywhere -- than nurses.
January 26, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Add a mention of firefighters and one might call this Bob Blendon's Law (IYKYK)
(Very true, though, and very consequential.)
(Very true, though, and very consequential.)
You can't find anyone more trusted in health care -- or maybe anywhere -- than nurses.
January 26, 2026 at 9:22 PM
You can't find anyone more trusted in health care -- or maybe anywhere -- than nurses.
Reposted by Larry Levitt
New piece from @kff.org highlights policy changes regarding immigration enforcement at health care facilities and discusses their impacts on the health and safety of the community amid reports of increased ICE presence in and around hospitals in Minnesota
www.kff.org/quick-take/h...
www.kff.org/quick-take/h...
January 22, 2026 at 7:34 PM
New piece from @kff.org highlights policy changes regarding immigration enforcement at health care facilities and discusses their impacts on the health and safety of the community amid reports of increased ICE presence in and around hospitals in Minnesota
www.kff.org/quick-take/h...
www.kff.org/quick-take/h...
If we're going to talk about the role health insurers play in the cost of health care, we should be talking more about Medicare Advantage than the ACA.
www.kff.org/medicare/hea...
www.kff.org/medicare/hea...
January 22, 2026 at 3:30 PM
If we're going to talk about the role health insurers play in the cost of health care, we should be talking more about Medicare Advantage than the ACA.
www.kff.org/medicare/hea...
www.kff.org/medicare/hea...
Reposted by Larry Levitt
Try it. Entertaining way to quickly learn key info about ACA.
I dare you to try to take our new ACA quiz and get 10 out of 10 correct.
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the Affordable Care Act | KFF
Take this ten-question quiz to see how much you know about how the ACA affects health insurance coverage and costs as well as who is eligible for financial assistance
www.kff.org
January 21, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Try it. Entertaining way to quickly learn key info about ACA.
Reposted by Larry Levitt
This is fascinating for the wrong reasons. Rarely have I seen California and Texas light up the same color on a data map, and in this case it’s because their rural residents are both getting the short end of the stick when it comes to federal funding …
New: With first year awards from the rural health transformation fund out, our analysis shows wide variation in the amount per rural resident across states.
www.kff.org/state-health...
www.kff.org/state-health...
January 21, 2026 at 3:52 PM
This is fascinating for the wrong reasons. Rarely have I seen California and Texas light up the same color on a data map, and in this case it’s because their rural residents are both getting the short end of the stick when it comes to federal funding …
Reposted by Larry Levitt
trufax that literally everyone will hate lololol. it's *always* primarily been hospitals and doctors driving up prices, but insurance companies make better villains because they're the most immediately tangible wrt the costs we pay straight from our wallets.
Insurance companies are not the primary driver of health care costs. It's hospitals.
But, it’s also not clear that we’re getting a lot of value from insurers in driving down health care costs.
But, it’s also not clear that we’re getting a lot of value from insurers in driving down health care costs.
January 21, 2026 at 3:21 PM
trufax that literally everyone will hate lololol. it's *always* primarily been hospitals and doctors driving up prices, but insurance companies make better villains because they're the most immediately tangible wrt the costs we pay straight from our wallets.
Reposted by Larry Levitt
It's a hard test!
I dare you to try to take our new ACA quiz and get 10 out of 10 correct.
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the Affordable Care Act | KFF
Take this ten-question quiz to see how much you know about how the ACA affects health insurance coverage and costs as well as who is eligible for financial assistance
www.kff.org
January 21, 2026 at 3:21 PM
It's a hard test!
I dare you to try to take our new ACA quiz and get 10 out of 10 correct.
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the Affordable Care Act | KFF
Take this ten-question quiz to see how much you know about how the ACA affects health insurance coverage and costs as well as who is eligible for financial assistance
www.kff.org
January 21, 2026 at 3:16 PM
I dare you to try to take our new ACA quiz and get 10 out of 10 correct.
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
www.kff.org/affordable-c...
Insurance companies are not the primary driver of health care costs. It's hospitals.
But, it’s also not clear that we’re getting a lot of value from insurers in driving down health care costs.
But, it’s also not clear that we’re getting a lot of value from insurers in driving down health care costs.
January 21, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Insurance companies are not the primary driver of health care costs. It's hospitals.
But, it’s also not clear that we’re getting a lot of value from insurers in driving down health care costs.
But, it’s also not clear that we’re getting a lot of value from insurers in driving down health care costs.
Health care one year into the Trump administration:
A trillion dollars in health care cuts.
Expiration of enhanced ACA premium subsidies.
Narrowing vaccine recommendations.
Cutting off funds to Planned Parenthood.
Deals with drug companies with unclear reductions in prices.
A trillion dollars in health care cuts.
Expiration of enhanced ACA premium subsidies.
Narrowing vaccine recommendations.
Cutting off funds to Planned Parenthood.
Deals with drug companies with unclear reductions in prices.
January 20, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Health care one year into the Trump administration:
A trillion dollars in health care cuts.
Expiration of enhanced ACA premium subsidies.
Narrowing vaccine recommendations.
Cutting off funds to Planned Parenthood.
Deals with drug companies with unclear reductions in prices.
A trillion dollars in health care cuts.
Expiration of enhanced ACA premium subsidies.
Narrowing vaccine recommendations.
Cutting off funds to Planned Parenthood.
Deals with drug companies with unclear reductions in prices.
Reposted by Larry Levitt
Also spotted: Funding cost-sharing reductions and ending so-called "silver loading," which will reduce overall federal spending but increase many Marketplace enrollees' after-subsidy premiums.
President Trump is suggesting here that people could use government subsidies to buy insurance that doesn’t comply with ACA rules, including coverage of pre-existing conditions. That could lower costs for healthy people, but send the ACA marketplace into a death spiral.
January 15, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Also spotted: Funding cost-sharing reductions and ending so-called "silver loading," which will reduce overall federal spending but increase many Marketplace enrollees' after-subsidy premiums.