This week, The Monitor covers:       👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Online conversations about childhood vaccinations and medical freedom. 🚸 An FDA memo saying COVID-19 vaccines caused 10 kids’ deaths. 👀 Staffing changes signaling shifts in federal health messaging. Dig in: https://on.kff.org/4qjU04J

What rumors and narratives are being spread about an FDA memo claiming COVID-19 vaccines caused 10 kids’ deaths? Find out in this week’s edition of The Monitor, from our Health Information and Trust initiative. https://on.kff.org/4qjU04J

⚡ Do we want to outsource U.S. vaccine policy to Denmark? KFF’s Josh Michaud looks at the implications of such a change in recommendations that HHS is reportedly considering: on.kff.org/44EzROx #QuickTake

⚡It remains unclear what will happen to the enhanced tax credits in 2026, but in the meantime ACA enrollees will be facing difficult decisions about what to do for health coverage, writes KFF’s Grace Sparks. on.kff.org/49kFjIV #QuickTake

The top 3 pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) manage 79% of prescription drug claims on behalf of 270 million people. KFF explores the role PBMs play in influencing drug costs and access to medicines, as well as efforts in Congress to regulate them. https://on.kff.org/4p0inmM

on our last #WTHealth podcast for 2025: the latest on the ACA fight on Capitol Hill; vaccine news; and a special wrap of 2025 in health policy. With @alicemiranda.bsky.social, @lizzylawrence.bsky.social, and Tami Luhby: kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...

Two weeks after a federal advisory committee voted to end a hep B vaccination recommendation for all newborns, online discussions about childhood vaccination, parental choice, and medical freedom are widespread. More from The Monitor: https://on.kff.org/4qjU04J

Following recent federal changes in vaccine recommendations, we looked at what they mean for insurance coverage. We found two changes have no implications for coverage, two removed the coverage requirement, and three expanded the requirement. More ⤵️ https://on.kff.org/3KFpYtc

The 2025 reconciliation law could have major implications for nearly 15,000 federally certified nursing facilities and the more than 1.2 million people living in them. Get the data and policy details here: https://on.kff.org/4pJq9Ty

A discharge petition in the House paves the way for a vote on a three-year extension of the ACA’s enhanced premium tax credits, which expire on 12/31. But there is no drop-dead date for an extension, writes KFF’s @larrylevitt.bsky.social #QuickTake on.kff.org/3MFGAl8

A vote in January to extend enhanced ACA premium tax credits wouldn't help people get coverage by January 1. But, open enrollment could be extended and the premium assistance would apply for all months an enrollee is covered.

Our data note examines the latest data on the quality of care in nursing facilities, including data on the number of certified facilities as well as nursing facility deficiencies. Learn more: https://on.kff.org/4pJq9Ty

How will recent federal changes to vaccine recommendations impact whether a vaccine must be covered by insurance or not? We provide an overview of each change and what they mean for coverage requirements. https://on.kff.org/3KFpYtc

Learn how the 2025 reconciliation law could affect nursing facilities and get the latest data on nursing facilities and the people living in them: https://on.kff.org/4pJq9Ty

With no extension of enhanced tax credits, ACA enrollees are going to start the year with premium payments increasing by an average of 114%, or over $1,000 a year per person. Some will find a way to pay it, some have switched to higher deductibles, and some have dropped coverage.

⚡ Amid reports that the TSA is sharing passenger information with ICE, KFF’s Shannon Schumacher looks at recent polling data that shows 3 in 10 immigrants are already avoiding travel due to immigration-related fears. #QuickTake https://on.kff.org/3YAlkQd

KFF is tracking key federal policy actions during President Trump’s second term related to mental health and substance use. In 2024, over 61 million adults experienced a mental illness, and deaths due to suicide, gun violence, and drug overdose remained high: https://on.kff.org/3XS74Ci

For 2026, 67% of Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage won’t charge a supplemental premium beyond the standard Part B premium. While virtually all plans offer vision, dental and hearing benefits, less than 10% offer in-home care or caregiver support. https://on.kff.org/48R31eo

What we’re watching: An update to CDC’s autism and vaccines webpage could stoke public uncertainty. More in this week’s edition of The Monitor. https://on.kff.org/4aHNAHV

ACA Marketplace open enrollment runs through January 15 in most states. Our updated calculator provides estimates of how much more people would pay in premiums in the ACA Marketplaces — both with and without the enhanced premium tax credits. https://on.kff.org/4olBSa4

Competition has increased in the individual market (which consists mostly of the ACA Marketplaces) in recent years but has fallen in fully insured group markets. Learn how the enhanced ACA credit played a role: https://on.kff.org/4aGzTsP

A CDC panel voted recently to end the recommendation that all newborns receive the hep B vaccine. Monitoring X, Reddit, and Bluesky, we found more than 31,000 posts about hep B on the day of the vote, up from an average of about 3,200 daily so far in 2025. https://on.kff.org/4aHNAHV

An open enrollment period specifically for people already in Medicare Advantage runs from Jan. 1 to March 31. For 2026, the average beneficiary can choose from 32 Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage offered by 8 firms. Learn more: https://on.kff.org/44qRoJU

While the individual market has attracted more insurers and competition in recent years, fully insured employer-sponsored health insurance markets have become less competitive in the past decade. Learn more: https://on.kff.org/4aGzTsP

There's been lots of polling recently showing increasing economic anxiety among the U.S. public. Our latest @kff.org poll shows how health care costs factor into those concerns www.kff.org/public-opini...

#ICYMI: In a new column, President and CEO @drewaltman.bsky.social#ICYMIforecasts 8 things to look for in health policy in 2026. https://on.kff.org/4pyk8Jm

Commercial health insurance markets are highly concentrated, but the individual market, which consist mostly of ACA Marketplaces, has attracted more insurers and seen more insurer competition since expansion of the premium tax credits. See our latest analysis: https://on.kff.org/4aGzTsP

Many Americans, including women ages 18-49, are unfamiliar with key facts about the abortion drug mifepristone, with fewer saying they believe abortion pills safe now than two years ago. Our poll has the details: https://on.kff.org/44GyYos

Bloomberg reported this week the FDA is delaying its mifepristone safety review until after the midterm elections. Last month, @kff.org polled on the public's awareness of the drug, its safety, and perception of the planned review: www.kff.org/public-opini...

This week, The Monitor covers:     👶 CDC advisory panel’s vote to change a hep B vaccine recommendation for newborns. 💉 CDC’s website change linking autism and vaccines. 💊 Our new poll about the abortion medication, mifepristone. Read the issue and subscribe: https://on.kff.org/4aHNAHV

The looming expiration of enhanced ACA tax credits, would cause out-of-pocket premiums to increase by 114% on average. The Senate Democratic plan would avert the increase in premium payments. The Republican plan would not, but cushions the effect with health savings accounts.

All states are now limited from increasing provider taxes to fund Medicaid and KFF estimates that 31 ACA expansion states will have to cut one or more Medicaid provider taxes. Cuts to existing taxes generally start October 1, 2027 but may begin earlier for states with certain waivers:

Get ready to learn a very wonky term: "effectuated enrollment." It's the number of people who sign up for ACA coverage or get auto-renewed and then pay their premiums. It's going to matter a lot if enhanced tax credits expire and people face an average increase in premium payments of 114%.

In a new column, President and CEO @drewaltman.bsky.social forecasts 8 things to look for in health policy in 2026. https://on.kff.org/4pyk8Jm

While MMR vaccination rates have declined for Asian and White children, they still remain lowest for Black and AIAN children: https://on.kff.org/44Gd9W6

Many Americans, including women ages 18-49, are unfamiliar with key facts about the abortion drug mifepristone, with fewer saying they believe abortion pills safe now than two years ago. Our poll has the details: https://on.kff.org/44GyYos

KFF’s Medicaid work requirements tracker compiles national and state enrollment and renewal outcomes data, related policies, implementation questions, 1115 waivers and more. We’ll continue adding information as federal guidance and state decisions take shape: https://on.kff.org/4ozQHFm

⚡ As the Dec. 15 ACA open enrollment deadline for Jan. 1 coverage approaches, KFF’s Michelle Long explains why some cost-conscious consumers may consider short-term plans — which tend to have lower premiums but few consumer protections and limited benefits. #QuickTake https://on.kff.org/4iGfB4C

Childhood vaccination rates have been declining, driven by declines among White and Asian children. Our analysis examines the data and factors that may be contributing, including misinformation and growing vaccine skepticism and partisanship: https://on.kff.org/44Gd9W6

About two-thirds of the public say they would oppose laws banning medication abortion nationally or making it a crime for providers to mail abortion pills in states where abortion is illegal, though support varies among partisans. More from our poll: https://on.kff.org/44GyYos

Our new interactive tracks national and state-level data and policy info relevant to Medicaid work requirements taking effect in 2027. It includes: • Enrollment and renewal outcomes data and policies • Policy and operational questions •1115 waiver activity 🔗: https://on.kff.org/4ozQHFm

Proposed changes to public charge rules are expected to reduce participation in public programs. A recent KFF/NYT poll found 1 in 10 immigrant adults say they disenrolled from or avoided enrolling in assistance programs due to immigration-related fears: https://on.kff.org/4pmhzK8

Two-thirds of the public oppose laws banning clinics like Planned Parenthood that provide abortions from receiving federal Medicaid payments for other services they provide, as included in the tax and spending bill enacted into law in July. Our poll: https://on.kff.org/44GyYos

⚡ After today’s ACIP vote on hepatitis B vaccines, KFF’s Alex Montero shares poll findings on parents who report delaying or skipping the vaccine for their kids — and examines how evolving guidance could further link vaccine uptake to partisanship and ideology. #QuickTake https://on.kff.org/4oC523W

Our new interactive tracks key data & policies that will affect how states implement Medicaid work requirements under the 2025 budget reconciliation law. Explore national & state-level enrollment data & renewal trends, 1115 waiver requests & approvals info, & more: https://on.kff.org/4ozQHFm

We wanted to understand how ACA Marketplace enrollees are thinking about their coverage options for next year. Here’s what some current enrollees told us. 🔗: https://on.kff.org/4ptXoK8

KFF's new analysis finds that children’s vaccination rates, including for MMR and the flu, fell in recent years due largely to declines among White and Asian children: https://on.kff.org/44Gd9W6

The Trump administration’s proposed changes to public charge regulations could lead to between 1.3 million and 4 million people in immigrant families disenrolling from Medicaid or CHIP, including 600,000 to 1.8 million citizen children. https://on.kff.org/4pmhzK8

KFF’s @larrylevitt.bsky.social appeared on @kqedforum.bsky.social and spoke about our latest research on the ACA enhanced premium tax credits, including the potential impact on people and politics if the tax credits aren’t extended. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://on.kff.org/4awg4nY

NEW: Despite decades of evidence showing mifepristone is safe, less than half of the public say abortion pills are safe when taken as directed. 1 in 5 say the pills are unsafe, while 4 in 10 aren’t sure. The results are similar among women ages 18-49: https://on.kff.org/44GyYos