Liz Williams
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Liz Williams
@liz-williams.bsky.social
970 followers 140 following 14 posts
Senior Policy Manager | KFF's Program on Medicaid & Uninsured | she/her
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Reposted by Liz Williams
kff.org
Increasing spending demands, slower revenue growth, and fiscal uncertainty have created a more tenuous fiscal climate for states in FY 2026.

States are also preparing for H.R.1's federal Medicaid cuts, which will exacerbate existing budget challenges. https://on.kff.org/4oJnA3e
Line graph of percent change in Medicaid enrollment and total spending shows Medicaid enrollment is expected to flatten, growing by 0.2%, as total spending grows by 7.9% in FY 2026.
November 13, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
kff.org
State Medicaid programs shared insights into the challenges they anticipate when implementing work requirements next year: https://on.kff.org/3LLhQHu
Chart titled 'States Report a Variety of Challenges With Implementing New Medicaid Work Requirements'. The chart lists challenges by categories: System Changes, Implementation Timeline, Staff Capacity, Fiscal Impact, and Applicant and Enrollee Issues. Each category details specific implementation challenges faced by states according to a 2019-2020 KFF survey of state Medicaid officials. Examples include system upgrades, pressure to make system changes in a short timeline, training needs for staff, potential increased cost due to accelerated timelines and changes, and potential confusion among applicants and enrollees.
November 10, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
kff.org
Over half of small employers that don’t offer health benefits say Medicaid is an important source of coverage for their workers — 34% say it’s very important, while 22% say it’s somewhat important.

More in our latest survey: https://on.kff.org/ehbs2025
2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey | KFF
This annual survey of employers provides a detailed look at trends in employer-sponsored health coverage, including premiums, worker contributions, cost-sharing provisions, offer rates, and more. This year's report also looks at how employers are approa...
on.kff.org
October 27, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
kff.org
Major federal changes to Medicaid and other health-related policies could impact children’s health in the coming years.

Our new brief lays out the 5 issues to watch: https://on.kff.org/4hgyhHH
Medicaid and Children's Health: 5 Issues to Watch Amid Recent Federal Changes | KFF
Major federal changes to Medicaid and other health-related policies could impact children's health in the coming years. This issue brief explores the latest data on Medicaid and children's health and highlights five key issues to watch as those federal ...
on.kff.org
October 23, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
jenkatesdc.bsky.social
NEW: We analyzed recent state actions on vaccine policy, given narrowing federal guidelines. Overall, 26 states have taken some action; of these, 23 have Democratic governors, signaling a growing red/blue divide in vaccine access. @kff.org Key findings in next post ⬇️
www.kff.org/covid-19/tra...
Tracking State Actions on Vaccine Policy and Access | KFF
With recent federal actions to curtail vaccine access, many states have announced actions intended to maintain broader access. This issue brief provides a snapshot of this rapidly changing landscape, ...
www.kff.org
September 25, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
kff.org
All states allow exemptions from school vaccination requirements for medical reasons and almost all states (47 including D.C.) allow exemptions for religious and/or personal beliefs: https://on.kff.org/4pbWQJg
KFF map titled, “47 States Allow Exemptions From School Vaccination Requirements for Religious and/or Personal Beliefs.” The map shows the type of non-medical exemption(s) from school vaccination requirements permitted by state: none (4 states), personal belief (1 state), religious (30 states), and religious and personal beliefs (16 states). The map notes that Florida has announced that they plan to eliminate school vaccine requirements but have not enacted any legislation, and West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey signed an executive order in January 2025 allowing religious and personal belief exemptions. Litigation is ongoing.
September 15, 2025 at 5:07 PM
liz-williams.bsky.social
FL's recent announcement of plans to eliminate school vaccination requirements would make them the first and only state to do so.

Our NEW @kff.org piece examines school vaccine requirements (and exemptions to requirements) and recent changes across the states: www.kff.org/state-health...
A Look at Recent Changes to State Vaccine Requirements for School Children | KFF
This policy watch examines state-by-state school vaccine requirements and exemptions, including recent policy changes to them and the extent to which they may affect vaccination rates.
www.kff.org
September 12, 2025 at 2:39 PM
liz-williams.bsky.social
New data for the 2024-25 school year show routine vaccination rates for kindergarten children continue to decline, while exemptions from school vaccination requirements, particularly non-medical exemptions, have increased.

Check out @kff.org's UPDATED brief: www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
Kindergarten Routine Vaccination Rates Continue to Decline | KFF
This issue brief provides an update on the latest trends in kindergarten children's routine vaccination and exemption rates. Over three-quarters (39) of states had measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)vaccina...
www.kff.org
August 6, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
kff.org
As vaccine skepticism escalates and the number of U.S. measles cases grows, we examine what it means to eliminate measles, whether the current measles outbreak could threaten the country’s measles elimination status, and what losing that status might mean.
Measles Elimination Status: What It Is and How the U.S. Could Lose It | KFF
The United States is at risk of losing its measles elimination status. This post looks at what measles elimination means, how the current measles outbreak threatens this status, and what losing it…
on.kff.org
July 30, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
larrylevitt.bsky.social
New: The Republican tax and spending mega-law will cut Medicaid in every state, but the effects are biggest in states that have expanded Medicaid under the ACA.
www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
July 24, 2025 at 6:25 PM
liz-williams.bsky.social
The Senate reconciliation bill would cut federal #Medicaid spending by over $200 billion more than the House bill though the increases vary by state.

In 14 states, the Senate bill would reduce federal Medicaid spending by at least $5 billion more than the House bill.

www.kff.org/quick-take/s...
July 2, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
kff.org
⚡ KFF’s @liz-williams.bsky.social compares the increases in the federal Medicaid cuts in the Senate-passed reconciliation bill with the House-passed bill across states. #QuickTake on.kff.org/44zOKRr
KFF graphic featuring a quote from Elizabeth Williams, KFF Senior Policy Manager, Program on Medicaid & Uninsured. It says, “All states and the District of Columbia will lose more federal Medicaid funding under the Senate-passed bill than under the House-passed bill. In 14 states, the Senate bill would reduce federal Medicaid spending by at least $5 billion more than the House bill would have.”
July 2, 2025 at 10:15 PM
liz-williams.bsky.social
The Senate reconciliation bill would reduce federal #Medicaid spending by $1 trillion over 10 years.

Provisions that only apply to ACA expansion states account for $526 billion of the federal spending reductions.

NEW @kff.org analysis looks at the impact across states: www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
July 2, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
heathersaunders.bsky.social
NEW RURAL BRIEF @kff.org : Senate reconciliation bill would cut federal Medicaid funding in rural areas by $155B—$36B more than the House bill. www.kff.org/policy-watch...
How Might Federal Medicaid Cuts in the Senate-Passed Reconciliation Bill Affect Rural Areas? | KFF
Under the Senate-passed reconciliation bill, federal Medicaid spending in rural areas is estimated to decline by $155 billion, more than in the House-passed bill, and far more than the $50 billion app...
www.kff.org
July 2, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
kff.org
The work requirements proposed in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” are more stringent than previous policies considered by Congress and implemented at the state level.

As the Senate debates the bill, our analysis explains the proposals in the House-passed version.
Work requirements and Medicaid: What’s in the House Reconciliation bill CBO Estimates: Implementing work requirements would account for the largest share of federal Medicaid savings — and cause the largest increase in the number of people without health insurance. Verification requirements: States would be required to verify at application and renewal that ACA expansion enrollees meet 80 hours of work activities per month or qualify for an exemption. States could also require more frequent verification. Implementation timeline: HHS must release guidance by end of 2025, giving states limited time to develop or change implementation plans, protocols, and systems before the Dec. 2026 implementation deadline. State implementation choices: State choices to impose stricter requirements than the minimum federal requirements — like more frequent verification or longer look-back periods — and state capacity to automate processes will affect how many people could lose coverage. Comparison to other waivers and proposals: The bill’s work requirement policies are more stringent than past Congressional proposals or state waivers, with no exemptions for older age and more barriers to getting and keeping coverage.
June 20, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
amayadiana.bsky.social
A unique feature of the proposed Medicaid work requirements in the reconciliation bill is that states could choose to require individuals to work for *multiple* months prior to applying for Medicaid - meaning people with employment gaps would not qualify for Medicaid, even if currently working
Image depicts the following text: Box 1. The impact of choosing different “look-back” periods John lost his job and was out of work in April and May. In June, he started in a new seasonal position and worked 80 hours during the month. In July, John applies for Medicaid in an expansion state, as he qualifies for Medicaid on the basis of his income. State A uses a 1-month look-back period when determining compliance with work requirements at application. John would be able to enroll in Medicaid (provided he meets all other program requirements). State B uses a 3-month look-back period when determining compliance with work requirements at application. John would not qualify for Medicaid, as he was out of work in two of the three months.
June 23, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
robinr.bsky.social
#Medicaid provisions that only apply to ACA expansion states account for roughly half ($427 billion) of total federal spending cut in the House-passed reconciliation bill and changes in the Senate Finance language would further cut federal spending for expansion states: www.kff.org/policy-watch...
Senate Finance Language Would Further Cut Federal Spending for Medicaid Expansion States | KFF
Prior KFF analysis allocated CBO’s federal Medicaid spending reductions and enrollment losses across the states, and this policy watch builds on that analysis to examine the potential impacts in expan...
www.kff.org
June 20, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
larrylevitt.bsky.social
My annotation of the new distributional analysis from the Congressional Budget Office of the One Big Beautiful Bill.
www.cbo.gov/publication/...
June 12, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
kff.org
As Congress weighs spending cuts and other changes to Medicaid, our latest poll shows three-quarters of MAGA supporters and other Republicans enrolled in Medicaid are worried about the potential impact of federal spending reductions on their families.

on.kff.org/4mPUFd9
KFF bar chart titled “Nearly 9 in 10 Medicaid enrollees say they are at least somewhat worried that federal funding cuts to Medicaid would negatively impact their and their families’ access to health care.” The chart shows the percent of Medicaid enrollees — including by party ID — who say that if the federal government significantly reduces its spending on Medicaid, they are very or somewhat worried it would lead to more adults and children becoming uninsured (85% Medicaid enrollees, 91% Democrats, 94% Independents, 69% Republicans); negatively impact hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care providers in your community (85% Medicaid enrollees, 93% Democrats, 96% Independents, 65% Republicans); and negatively impact their or their family’s ability to get and pay for health care (86% Medicaid enrollees, 90% Democrats, 92% Independents, 76% Republicans).
June 6, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
robinr.bsky.social
See updated @kff.org state-level analysis of CBO estimates for #Medicaid spending and Medicaid coverage reductions from provisions in the House Passed Reconciliation Bill: www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
Allocating CBO’s Estimates of Federal Medicaid Spending Reductions and Enrollment Loss Across the States | KFF
The Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) latest estimate shows that the One Big Beautiful Bill would reduce federal Medicaid spending by $793 and that the Medicaid provisions would increase the number ...
www.kff.org
June 5, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
kff.org
Medicaid is the primary payer for maternity care in the U.S. It finances about 4 in 10 (41%) births nationally — nearly half in rural communities (47%).

Our new brief covers more facts you may find surprising.
5 Key Facts About Medicaid and Pregnancy | KFF
This brief examines Medicaid’s pregnancy and postpartum coverage and its support for strengthening and improving maternal health outcomes.
www.kff.org
May 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
kff.org
Medicaid covers 47% of nonelderly adults with opioid use disorder and is the main source of coverage for those receiving treatment services.

It covers 56% of those receiving medication and 64% of those getting outpatient treatment and peer support services: on.kff.org/43kNyAB
KFF infographic showing coverage of opioid use disorder treatments among nonelderly adults. It details Medicaid's share compared to other payers in four categories: Adults with OUD (Medicaid 47%, Other 53%), Medication for OUD (Medicaid 56%, Other 44%), Outpatient OUD Treatment (Medicaid 64%, Other 36%), and Peer Support Services for SUD (Medicaid 64%, Other 36%).
May 14, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
kff.org
From new Medicaid work requirements to lowering expansion match rates for states that use their own funds to cover undocumented immigrants, the reconciliation bill could reshape how states fund and manage #Medicaid.

We outline the proposed provisions:
Tracking the Medicaid Provisions in the 2025 Reconciliation Bill | KFF
KFF is tracking the Medicaid provisions in the 2025 federal budget bill, including new Medicaid work and verification requirements and a reduction in the expansion match rate for states that use their...
on.kff.org
May 14, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Reposted by Liz Williams
robinr.bsky.social
With legislative proposals under discussion that would affect the ACA #Medicaid expansion group, new @kff.org analysis looks are some more characteristics of this population. www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
5 Key Facts About Medicaid Expansion | KFF
This issue brief examines Medicaid expansion enrollment and Medicaid spending in expansion and non-expansion states and describes the characteristics of adults covered by the Medicaid expansion.
www.kff.org
April 25, 2025 at 6:46 PM
liz-williams.bsky.social
If states maintained ACA #Medicaid expansion coverage and spending, a per capita cap on the expansion population would erode the effective enhanced federal match rate over time and shift $246B in costs to states over 10 years.

More in our NEW @kff.org analysis here: www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
A Medicaid Per Capita Cap on the ACA Expansion Population: State by State Estimates | KFF
This analysis examines the potential impacts on states and Medicaid enrollees of implementing a per capita cap on the federal share of Medicaid spending for the ACA Medicaid expansion population only,...
www.kff.org
April 25, 2025 at 1:30 PM