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New Policies Weaken Health Insurance Marketplace for Consumers

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The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 23h

Over 24M people now rely on ACA marketplace coverage -- double the number in 2020. But recent federal changes put those gains at risk, especially for workers steered into the market with Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs).https://bit.ly/4gTlVos

Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) depend on a stable insurance market, now under threat.

Deep Medicaid Spending Cuts Put Health Care Coverage at Risk for One of Five Enrolled Children

The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 1d

More on that here: www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2025/de...

Learn how deep Medicaid spending cuts threaten health care coverage for one in five enrolled children, impacting their access to essential services.

She was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 11. Trump’s Medicaid cuts could end her life-saving treatment

The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 1d

ICYMI: @commonwealthfund.org's research, recently cited in @theguardian.com, estimates that one in five children enrolled in Medicaid could be at risk of losing coverage.

Half of all US children are covered through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (Chip), making kids particularly vulnerable under the new Republican budget

www.theguardian.com

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The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 2d

In 2023, the maternal death rate in Louisiana was more than four times as high as California’s, while infant mortality in Mississippi was nearly triple that of Massachusetts.

Maternal and Child Mortality: How Do U.S. States Compare Internationally?

This brief compares U.S. maternal and child mortality rates at the national, state, and racial and ethnic level to 200 countries.

Health & Fitness Podcast · Updated Biweekly · The Dose is the Commonwealth Fund’s podcast that presents fresh ideas, new perspectives, and compelling conversations about where health care is headed. J...

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The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 2d

“My hope is that as you listen, you'll feel not only informed, but inspired. That you'll see yourself as part of this ongoing journey to reimagine what health care can be."

Dr. @joelbervell.bsky.social returns for a new season of The Dose, this Friday.

Subscribe today! ⤵️

The Dose

podcasts.apple.com

The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 3d

The more than 20 million people who rely on marketplace coverage will soon learn they must pay significantly higher premiums to keep their coverage next year.

New Federal Policies Spur Higher Health Insurance Premiums in 2026

Insurers cite increasing health care costs and expiration of enhanced premium tax credits as drivers of widespread, substantial proposed rate increases for 2026.

New Policies Weaken Health Insurance Marketplace for Consumers

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The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 4d

Millions of workers may be directed to buy ACA marketplace coverage through employer-funded accounts.

But new federal policy changes are making that market harder to navigate and more costly.
bit.ly/4gTlVos

Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) depend on a stable insurance market, now under threat.

Work Requirements for Medicaid Enrollees

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The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 7d

The majority of people with Medicaid who can work are already working.

However, in 2027, #Medicaid will add national work requirements for the first time.

When Arkansas added work requirements in 2018, more than 18,000 people lost coverage.

See our explainer to learn more about work requirements.

Explore Medicaid work requirements, current federal and state updates, and their impact on enrollees in this explainer.

How States Can Help Curb the Rising Medical Debt Related to Federal Coverage Cuts

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The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 9d

Recent federal policy changes have created significant gaps in the #healthcare safety net.

States, on their own, will not have the resources to fix them.

Here, researchers outline several policy options that could help mitigate the risks and burdens faced by patients and hospitals.

States can protect patients from debt and reduce administrative burdens on hospitals by streamlining financial assistance processes and curbing predatory practices.

The Cruelest Kind of Heartbreak

Reposted by The Commonwealth Fund

Akeiisa Coleman @acinthedc.bsky.social · 9d

“This is terrifying. I’m looking at a government that’s looking me in the face and they’re saying ‘your life does not matter,’” Jerrod says. “And Baby, I know my life has value.” wordinblack.com/2025/09/the-... #Medicaid #healthpolicy #healthequity

Trump's tax cuts will make getting a heart transplant even harder for Black patients who already struggle to maintain Medicaid coverage.

wordinblack.com

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The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 15d

🌪️🌫️ Extreme weather and air pollution are straining hospitals and putting patients at risk.
Our new Scorecard is the first to compare all 50 states + DC on climate risks and explore the policies that can address them.

Commonwealth Fund State Scorecard on Climate, Health, and Health Care

This scorecard evaluates states for vulnerability to and contribution to environmental factors affecting health care systems and highlights ways to reduce impacts.

The Impact of Proposed Federal Medicaid Work Requirements on Hospital Revenues and Financial Margins

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The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 16d

Introducing federal Medicaid work requirements for enrollees in the ACA’s Medicaid expansion will lead to coverage losses that will reduce hospital revenues, increase uncompensated care costs, and lower operating margins.

Work requirements for ACA Medicaid expansion enrollees will lead to coverage losses that will reduce hospital revenues and increase uncompensated care costs.

Dr. Betancourt on The Commonwealth Fund's Vision

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The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 17d

The Commonwealth Fund was founded to improve the health of all Americans, especially those most in need. President Joe Betancourt reflects on that legacy and what’s needed now.

“Despite incredible advancements in science and technology, we fail the basic test of assuring that all people across our nation can get the care they need, when they need it, at a price they can…

How States Can Help Curb the Rising Medical Debt Related to Federal Coverage Cuts

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The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 18d

The new federal tax law will strip 10 million Americans of their health insurance at a time when a large share of the country is already struggling with #medicaldebt.

States can protect patients from debt and reduce administrative burdens on hospitals by streamlining financial assistance processes and curbing predatory practices.

Webinar: From Theory to Practice - Addressing Race and Racism in Quantitative Reproductive Health Research | AcademyHealth

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Reposted by The Commonwealth Fund

AcademyHealth @academyhealth.bsky.social · 21d

Want to reduce inequities in reproductive health research? This webinar explores strategies, best practices, and common pitfalls in applying equity-focused methods. Supported by @commonwealthfund.org

buff.ly

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The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 21d

The president’s domestic policy law and new regulations will impose a host of administrative barriers to marketplace enrollment, causing millions of people to lose their health coverage.

Congress and the Administration Are Using Paperwork to Discourage Enrollment in Marketplace Insurance

Millions will lose health insurance because of new regulations, with losses driven by intentional inefficiencies, additional steps, and administrative burdens.

The Impact of Proposed Federal Medicaid Work Requirements on Hospital Revenues and Financial Margins

Reposted by The Commonwealth Fund

Akeiisa Coleman @acinthedc.bsky.social · 21d

New report estimates the impact of #Medicaid work requirements on hospital finances, with tables showing safety net and rural hospital impacts by state www.commonwealthfund.org/publications... #healthpolicy

Work requirements for ACA Medicaid expansion enrollees will lead to coverage losses that will reduce hospital revenues and increase uncompensated care costs.

A Focused Direction for the Future

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The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 22d

Commonwealth Fund President @jbetancourtpr.bsky.social, lays out the Fund’s priorities and announces two new initiatives launching in 2026.

Commonwealth Fund President Joseph R. Betancourt, M.D., lays out the Fund’s priorities and announces two new initiatives launching in 2026.

Improving Payments for Primary Care Physicians

The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 23d

ICYMI: #PrimaryCare is the backbone of the health system, yet physicians in this field are paid far less than specialists. This pay gap makes it harder to recruit new doctors and contributes to growing shortages.

Payment reforms could help close the gap and improve access to care. Details below ⤵️

The Relative Value Scale Update Committee’s role in determining reimbursement rates has come under scrutiny for its underrepresentation of primary care physicians.

4 U.S. journalists selected for AHCJ German Health Care Study Group

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Reposted by The Commonwealth Fund

Association of Health Care Journalists @healthjournalism.org · 29d

🎉 Congrats to the 4 U.S. journalists selected for AHCJ’s German Health Care Study Group in Berlin this October! Read more about their projects ➡️ healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/09...

AHCJ is pleased to announce the four U.S.-based journalists chosen for the Association's inaugural German Health Care Study Group.

healthjournalism.org

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Reposted by The Commonwealth Fund

Association of Health Care Journalists @healthjournalism.org · 25d

The U.S. spends more on health care than any other country—yet outcomes lag. Why?
Dig into this big question with AHCJ’s U.S. Health System Reporting Fellowship.
Funding, mentoring + resources to support your project.
Apply here: healthjournalism.org/fellowships/...

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The Commonwealth Fund @commonwealthfund.org · 29d

The new federal tax law is poised to exacerbate the #medicaldebt crisis by stripping millions of their health insurance. Find out what states can do to protect patients.

www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2025/ho...

How States Can Help Curb the Rising Medical Debt Related to Federal Coverage Cuts

States can protect patients from debt and reduce administrative burdens on hospitals by streamlining financial assistance processes and curbing predatory practices.