Lynne Cotter
@lynnemargalit.bsky.social
Senior Researcher at KFF focused on #PublicHealth and #HealthPolicy. Tracking critical KPIs on the US Health and Healthcare system #Access #Affordability #Wellbeing #QualityofCare #HealthSpending @ www.healthsystemtracker.org ❤️ #dataviz
20 more days before the February 23 deadline to submit comments for the #pricetransparency Transparency in Coverage final rule.
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
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www.federalregister.gov
February 3, 2026 at 11:18 PM
20 more days before the February 23 deadline to submit comments for the #pricetransparency Transparency in Coverage final rule.
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Reposted by Lynne Cotter
When Tammy MacDonald needed a new family doctor outside Boston, she was told she would have to wait a year or more.
Then, a nearby hospital offered her an AI tool to set up a telehealth visit.
“I think I got an appointment the next day,” she said.
More from @wbur.org ⤵️
Then, a nearby hospital offered her an AI tool to set up a telehealth visit.
“I think I got an appointment the next day,” she said.
More from @wbur.org ⤵️
Your Next Primary Care Doctor Could Be Online Only, Accessed Through an AI Tool - KFF Health News
The largest hospital chain in Massachusetts is offering a new AI-assisted telehealth tool to patients who need primary care. Mass General Brigham says this and other AI tools can help relieve staff bu...
kffhealthnews.org
February 2, 2026 at 9:33 PM
When Tammy MacDonald needed a new family doctor outside Boston, she was told she would have to wait a year or more.
Then, a nearby hospital offered her an AI tool to set up a telehealth visit.
“I think I got an appointment the next day,” she said.
More from @wbur.org ⤵️
Then, a nearby hospital offered her an AI tool to set up a telehealth visit.
“I think I got an appointment the next day,” she said.
More from @wbur.org ⤵️
Almost half of U.S. health spending is public dollars, which is expected to grow with the increasingly aging population. However, spending growth has 🐌slowed compared to earlier decades.
Trends in #healthcarespeding www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collec...
Trends in #healthcarespeding www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collec...
February 3, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Almost half of U.S. health spending is public dollars, which is expected to grow with the increasingly aging population. However, spending growth has 🐌slowed compared to earlier decades.
Trends in #healthcarespeding www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collec...
Trends in #healthcarespeding www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collec...
The Senate passed bipartisan PBM reform that is expected to pass the House and go to the President for signing.
Reforming PBMs has been a multi-year bipartisan effort:
Reforming PBMs has been a multi-year bipartisan effort:
What to Know About Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and Federal Efforts at Regulation | KFF
This brief provides an overview of the role of PBMs in managing pharmacy benefits, discusses recent federal legislation focusing on several elements of PBM business practices, and explains the…
www.kff.org
February 2, 2026 at 11:18 PM
The Senate passed bipartisan PBM reform that is expected to pass the House and go to the President for signing.
Reforming PBMs has been a multi-year bipartisan effort:
Reforming PBMs has been a multi-year bipartisan effort:
Two in three adults worry about being able to pay for healthcare. It's no wonder, when even those with insurance through their employer have to pay thousands for premiums and hundreds or thousands more in deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collec...
How much do people with employer plans spend out-of-pocket on cost-sharing? - Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker
Health insurance premiums for those with employer coverage are typically shared between the employer and enrollee. In addition to these premium contributions, most enrollees also face out-of-pocket…
www.healthsystemtracker.org
February 2, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Two in three adults worry about being able to pay for healthcare. It's no wonder, when even those with insurance through their employer have to pay thousands for premiums and hundreds or thousands more in deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collec...
I find it extremely valuable to know the vaccination rates in my community, available, currently, at www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxvie...
But surveys collected at the federal level may not be updated.
www.404media.co/dozens-of-cd...
But surveys collected at the federal level may not be updated.
www.404media.co/dozens-of-cd...
Dozens of CDC Health Databases Have Gone Dark Under Trump: ‘The Consequences Will Be Dire’
Nearly half of routinely-updated CDC databases have experienced delays or shutdowns in 2025, with vaccination-related systems disproportionately affected, according to a new study.
www.404media.co
January 26, 2026 at 10:56 PM
I find it extremely valuable to know the vaccination rates in my community, available, currently, at www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxvie...
But surveys collected at the federal level may not be updated.
www.404media.co/dozens-of-cd...
But surveys collected at the federal level may not be updated.
www.404media.co/dozens-of-cd...
Reposted by Lynne Cotter
TONS of health news this week. Catch up with this week's #WTHealth podcast, w/ @alicemiranda.bsky.social, @annaedney.bsky.social, and @joannekenen.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
Culture Wars Take Center Stage - KFF Health News
With lawmakers still mired over renewing enhanced tax credits for Affordable Care Act plans, much of Washington has turned to culture war issues. Meanwhile, “confusion” remains the watchword at HHS as...
kffhealthnews.org
January 15, 2026 at 9:34 PM
TONS of health news this week. Catch up with this week's #WTHealth podcast, w/ @alicemiranda.bsky.social, @annaedney.bsky.social, and @joannekenen.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
The Great Healthcare Plan mentions Cost-Sharing Reductions. Explainer here! www.kff.org/affordable-c...
Explaining Cost-Sharing Reductions and Silver Loading in ACA Marketplaces | KFF
The House of Representatives recently passed a budget reconciliation bill that would appropriate funding for cost-sharing reductions that insurers are required to provide to low-income enrollees in th...
www.kff.org
January 15, 2026 at 7:27 PM
The Great Healthcare Plan mentions Cost-Sharing Reductions. Explainer here! www.kff.org/affordable-c...
CPI rose only 2.9% in 2024. Health spending increased much more!
‼️7.2% increase in health spending in 2024
Stay tuned for updated analyses on health spending in the US and internationally.
Stay tuned for updated analyses on health spending in the US and internationally.
January 14, 2026 at 9:14 PM
CPI rose only 2.9% in 2024. Health spending increased much more!
‼️7.2% increase in health spending in 2024
Stay tuned for updated analyses on health spending in the US and internationally.
Stay tuned for updated analyses on health spending in the US and internationally.
January 14, 2026 at 9:13 PM
‼️7.2% increase in health spending in 2024
Stay tuned for updated analyses on health spending in the US and internationally.
Stay tuned for updated analyses on health spending in the US and internationally.
This is not a surprise, per se, but CBO reports spending on health insurance has increased from being 6.1% of income to 12.3% of income.
Health care costs are increasing more than other things. Why? Oh, lots of reasons.
Health care costs are increasing more than other things. Why? Oh, lots of reasons.
How much and why premiums are going up for small businesses in 2026 - Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker
Each year, health insurers submit rate filings to state regulators outlining their expectations for the coming year and proposing premium changes for Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant plans. This…
www.healthsystemtracker.org
January 9, 2026 at 11:18 PM
This is not a surprise, per se, but CBO reports spending on health insurance has increased from being 6.1% of income to 12.3% of income.
Health care costs are increasing more than other things. Why? Oh, lots of reasons.
Health care costs are increasing more than other things. Why? Oh, lots of reasons.
Looking for info about the status of the US healthcare system? Check out
Home - Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker
December 11, 2025
www.healthsystemtracker.org
January 9, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Looking for info about the status of the US healthcare system? Check out
The new food pyramid aims to address the high burden of chronic diseases among Americans. People diagnosed with a chronic condition have health spending two or three times as high as people without chronic diseases. www.healthsystemtracker.org/indicator/sp...
January 8, 2026 at 11:18 PM
The new food pyramid aims to address the high burden of chronic diseases among Americans. People diagnosed with a chronic condition have health spending two or three times as high as people without chronic diseases. www.healthsystemtracker.org/indicator/sp...
One third of additional deaths in the US compared to peer countries are due to deaths from cardiovascular diseases, respiratory, and chronic kidney diseases, causing 105/100,000 deaths for people <70. www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collec...
The new 🥦food pyramid 🥛 aims to reduce these deaths.
The new 🥦food pyramid 🥛 aims to reduce these deaths.
What drives differences in life expectancy between the U.S. and comparable countries? - Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker
The United States spends more on health care than any similarly large and wealthy country. However, in 2023, Americans had a life expectancy of 78.4 years, compared to an average of 82.5 among peer…
www.healthsystemtracker.org
January 8, 2026 at 5:13 PM
One third of additional deaths in the US compared to peer countries are due to deaths from cardiovascular diseases, respiratory, and chronic kidney diseases, causing 105/100,000 deaths for people <70. www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collec...
The new 🥦food pyramid 🥛 aims to reduce these deaths.
The new 🥦food pyramid 🥛 aims to reduce these deaths.
The new food pyramid (realfood.gov) is inverted and aimed at reducing chronic conditions in the US. Chronic disease is a big problem in the U.S.:
4 /10 adults are obese
3 /10 have high blood pressure
1 /10 have diabetes
www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collec...
4 /10 adults are obese
3 /10 have high blood pressure
1 /10 have diabetes
www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collec...
America's New Dietary Guidelines
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans reset U.S. nutrition policy by restoring science, common sense, and real food as the foundation of national health.
realfood.gov
January 7, 2026 at 11:18 PM
The new food pyramid (realfood.gov) is inverted and aimed at reducing chronic conditions in the US. Chronic disease is a big problem in the U.S.:
4 /10 adults are obese
3 /10 have high blood pressure
1 /10 have diabetes
www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collec...
4 /10 adults are obese
3 /10 have high blood pressure
1 /10 have diabetes
www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collec...
CDC updated the childhood #vaccine schedule, arguing that peer nations "maintain high vaccination rates through public trust and education rather than mandates." Removed recs to vaccinate against Hep A, Hep B, meningococcal, COVID-19, flu, and rotavirus.
Still TBD how this will impact insurance.
Still TBD how this will impact insurance.
January 5, 2026 at 11:18 PM
CDC updated the childhood #vaccine schedule, arguing that peer nations "maintain high vaccination rates through public trust and education rather than mandates." Removed recs to vaccinate against Hep A, Hep B, meningococcal, COVID-19, flu, and rotavirus.
Still TBD how this will impact insurance.
Still TBD how this will impact insurance.
Reposted by Lynne Cotter
CMS proposes tightening insurer price transparency requirements buff.ly/7g0kEfb #healthcare #healthpolicy #healthecon
CMS proposes tightening insurer price transparency requirements
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a draft regulation that would change how negotiated rates are disclosed.
buff.ly
December 23, 2025 at 3:17 PM
CMS proposes tightening insurer price transparency requirements buff.ly/7g0kEfb #healthcare #healthpolicy #healthecon
Reposted by Lynne Cotter
Americans leave more than $4 billion in flexible-spending accounts each year, money that goes straight back to their employers. What can you do with money that is about to expire? Here are some tips.
It’s Time to Spend Your FSA Money Before Your Employer Gets What’s Left
About half of Americans with FSA accounts let some money expire, with the average amount forfeited at more than $400.
on.wsj.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Americans leave more than $4 billion in flexible-spending accounts each year, money that goes straight back to their employers. What can you do with money that is about to expire? Here are some tips.
New GDP report from the BEA shows:
- Personal spending on health care services accounts for 50% of the overall growth in services spending between Apr-Jun and July-Sept 2025.
- Up 48 billion dollars (inflation-adjusted).
www.bea.gov/news/2025/gr...
- Personal spending on health care services accounts for 50% of the overall growth in services spending between Apr-Jun and July-Sept 2025.
- Up 48 billion dollars (inflation-adjusted).
www.bea.gov/news/2025/gr...
Gross Domestic Product, 3rd Quarter 2025 (Initial Estimate) and Corporate Profits (Preliminary) | U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 4.3 percent in the third quarter of 2025 (July, August, and September), according to the initial estimate released by the U.S. Bureau o...
www.bea.gov
December 23, 2025 at 5:03 PM
New GDP report from the BEA shows:
- Personal spending on health care services accounts for 50% of the overall growth in services spending between Apr-Jun and July-Sept 2025.
- Up 48 billion dollars (inflation-adjusted).
www.bea.gov/news/2025/gr...
- Personal spending on health care services accounts for 50% of the overall growth in services spending between Apr-Jun and July-Sept 2025.
- Up 48 billion dollars (inflation-adjusted).
www.bea.gov/news/2025/gr...
In 2023, just 4% of adults in the US were currently using GLP-1 agonists for weight loss vs 12% in 2025.
The release of the first oral GLP-1 pill likely means even more people will take it, which seems to be good news for health in the US, where 35% are overweight + are 33% obese
The release of the first oral GLP-1 pill likely means even more people will take it, which seems to be good news for health in the US, where 35% are overweight + are 33% obese
December 22, 2025 at 11:52 PM
In 2023, just 4% of adults in the US were currently using GLP-1 agonists for weight loss vs 12% in 2025.
The release of the first oral GLP-1 pill likely means even more people will take it, which seems to be good news for health in the US, where 35% are overweight + are 33% obese
The release of the first oral GLP-1 pill likely means even more people will take it, which seems to be good news for health in the US, where 35% are overweight + are 33% obese
My heart is filled with grief for the victims and families of the mass shootings at Boston University and Gold Cost.
But these horrific events are not inevitable. In Australia shootings are extremely rare, unlike in the United States where there are more shootings than there are days in the year.
But these horrific events are not inevitable. In Australia shootings are extremely rare, unlike in the United States where there are more shootings than there are days in the year.
December 15, 2025 at 5:04 PM
My heart is filled with grief for the victims and families of the mass shootings at Boston University and Gold Cost.
But these horrific events are not inevitable. In Australia shootings are extremely rare, unlike in the United States where there are more shootings than there are days in the year.
But these horrific events are not inevitable. In Australia shootings are extremely rare, unlike in the United States where there are more shootings than there are days in the year.
High-risk pools existed before the ACA in 35 states to provide health coverage. $1-2 billion dollars of government subsidies were required to keep these pools afloat. www.kff.org/affordable-c...
High-Risk Pools For Uninsurable Individuals | KFF
For more than 35 years, many states operated high-risk pool programs to offer non-group health coverage to uninsurable residents. The federal government also operated a temporary high-risk pool progra...
www.kff.org
December 11, 2025 at 3:55 PM
High-risk pools existed before the ACA in 35 states to provide health coverage. $1-2 billion dollars of government subsidies were required to keep these pools afloat. www.kff.org/affordable-c...
12% of 18-44-year-olds are uninsured. Congressional action, such as changes to the ACA tax credits, or other plans that address affordability, could change this number.
December 10, 2025 at 3:33 PM
12% of 18-44-year-olds are uninsured. Congressional action, such as changes to the ACA tax credits, or other plans that address affordability, could change this number.
#Affordability will be the word of the year across many areas of the economy, including in health. www.kff.org/from-drew-al...
Health Policy in 2026
In a new column, President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman forecasts eight things to look for in health policy in 2026. “First and foremost,” he writes, “is the role health care affordability will play in the...
www.kff.org
December 8, 2025 at 8:10 PM
#Affordability will be the word of the year across many areas of the economy, including in health. www.kff.org/from-drew-al...
Reposted by Lynne Cotter
⚡ The Trump administration closed out the second round of Medicare’s Drug Price Negotiation Program this week.
KFF’s @jcubanski.bsky.social explores the implications. #QuickTake https://on.kff.org/4ac0sG3
KFF’s @jcubanski.bsky.social explores the implications. #QuickTake https://on.kff.org/4ac0sG3
November 26, 2025 at 2:35 PM
⚡ The Trump administration closed out the second round of Medicare’s Drug Price Negotiation Program this week.
KFF’s @jcubanski.bsky.social explores the implications. #QuickTake https://on.kff.org/4ac0sG3
KFF’s @jcubanski.bsky.social explores the implications. #QuickTake https://on.kff.org/4ac0sG3