Drishti Pillai, PhD, MPH
@drishp.bsky.social
Associate Director, Racial Equity & Health Policy; Director, Immigrant Health Policy @KFF.org
PhD from George Washington University
MPH from Emory University
BS from The Ohio State University
PhD from George Washington University
MPH from Emory University
BS from The Ohio State University
Pinned
👋Hi! I'm Drishti Pillai, Associate Director of Racial and Equity & Health Policy and Director of Immigrant Health Policy @kff.org
My areas of expertise include #immigration #immigranthealth #racialequity #disparities #healthcare #healthcoverage
Follow for KFF's latest work on these topics and more!
My areas of expertise include #immigration #immigranthealth #racialequity #disparities #healthcare #healthcoverage
Follow for KFF's latest work on these topics and more!
Analysis of USCIS data by @kff.org finds that NY (14%), MA (9%), CA (8%), PA (6%), and OH, TN, and FL (5% each) accounted for over half of all approved H-1B visas for health care and social assistance in FY '25. $100K fee could disproportionately impact these states.
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
February 5, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Analysis of USCIS data by @kff.org finds that NY (14%), MA (9%), CA (8%), PA (6%), and OH, TN, and FL (5% each) accounted for over half of all approved H-1B visas for health care and social assistance in FY '25. $100K fee could disproportionately impact these states.
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
New analysis by @kff.org finds that H-1B visa approvals for health care and social assistance increased by 8% between FY 2022 and 2025. Policy changes such as the $100K entry fee could reduce the number of H-1B workers in these industries, exacerbating worker shortages.
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
February 5, 2026 at 7:07 PM
New analysis by @kff.org finds that H-1B visa approvals for health care and social assistance increased by 8% between FY 2022 and 2025. Policy changes such as the $100K entry fee could reduce the number of H-1B workers in these industries, exacerbating worker shortages.
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
In a @kff.org survey from fall '25, nearly half of likely undocumented immigrant adults, and one in seven who are lawfully present, said they had avoided medical care since January '25 due to immigration-related concerns -- recent increases in ICE presence could further exacerbate these challenges
February 3, 2026 at 4:10 PM
In a @kff.org survey from fall '25, nearly half of likely undocumented immigrant adults, and one in seven who are lawfully present, said they had avoided medical care since January '25 due to immigration-related concerns -- recent increases in ICE presence could further exacerbate these challenges
DOS recently paused immigrant visas for nationals from 75 countries deemed more likely to become a "public charge". Analysis from @kff.org finds that immigrants from these countries account for 7.8 million workers in the U.S., including 1.2 million health care workers.
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
Potential Impact of the Federal Pause on Immigrant Visas From 75 Countries on the U.S. Health Care Workforce | KFF
This policy watch discusses the implications for the U.S. health care workforce of the recent DOS immigrant visa pause for individuals from 75 countries deemed more likely to be a public charge.
www.kff.org
January 29, 2026 at 9:54 PM
DOS recently paused immigrant visas for nationals from 75 countries deemed more likely to become a "public charge". Analysis from @kff.org finds that immigrants from these countries account for 7.8 million workers in the U.S., including 1.2 million health care workers.
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
Reposted by Drishti Pillai, PhD, MPH
The latest poll also finds that health care costs are the top economic worry for Democrats, independents and Republicans. Looking ahead to the election, more than 4 in 10 voters say health care costs will have a “major impact” on their decision to vote & which party’s candidate they will support.
Across a range of measures, KFF’s latest poll finds significant concern about health care costs.
Dig into the findings: https://on.kff.org/49XZyLG
Dig into the findings: https://on.kff.org/49XZyLG
January 29, 2026 at 4:07 PM
The latest poll also finds that health care costs are the top economic worry for Democrats, independents and Republicans. Looking ahead to the election, more than 4 in 10 voters say health care costs will have a “major impact” on their decision to vote & which party’s candidate they will support.
Reposted by Drishti Pillai, PhD, MPH
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.
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...
Reposted by Drishti Pillai, PhD, MPH
Reposted by Drishti Pillai, PhD, MPH
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.
New data sharing agreement between CMS and ICE raises some key issues re compliance with court orders applicable in several states to share data only for individuals who are not lawfully present and also increases concerns around data privacy and protection
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
@kff.org
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
@kff.org
January 14, 2026 at 9:34 PM
New data sharing agreement between CMS and ICE raises some key issues re compliance with court orders applicable in several states to share data only for individuals who are not lawfully present and also increases concerns around data privacy and protection
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
@kff.org
www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
@kff.org
Reposted by Drishti Pillai, PhD, MPH
The U.S.-Born Unemployment Rate Rose After Trump Reduced Immigration www.forbes.com/sites/stuart...
The U.S.-Born Unemployment Rate Rose After Trump Reduced Immigration
Government data show the Trump administration’s policies reducing the number of foreign-born workers did not help U.S.-born workers in 2025.
www.forbes.com
January 11, 2026 at 5:35 PM
The U.S.-Born Unemployment Rate Rose After Trump Reduced Immigration www.forbes.com/sites/stuart...
Reposted by Drishti Pillai, PhD, MPH
😱YIKES
New guidance from the Trump Administration's CMS cites Secretarial discretion to DROP mandatory state reporting of immunization rates for children + pregnant adults covered by Medicaid/CHIP
This is close to 1/2 the children in the US and more than 40% of births
medicaid.gov/federal-policy…
New guidance from the Trump Administration's CMS cites Secretarial discretion to DROP mandatory state reporting of immunization rates for children + pregnant adults covered by Medicaid/CHIP
This is close to 1/2 the children in the US and more than 40% of births
medicaid.gov/federal-policy…
https://medicaid.gov/federal-policy…
January 3, 2026 at 11:31 PM
😱YIKES
New guidance from the Trump Administration's CMS cites Secretarial discretion to DROP mandatory state reporting of immunization rates for children + pregnant adults covered by Medicaid/CHIP
This is close to 1/2 the children in the US and more than 40% of births
medicaid.gov/federal-policy…
New guidance from the Trump Administration's CMS cites Secretarial discretion to DROP mandatory state reporting of immunization rates for children + pregnant adults covered by Medicaid/CHIP
This is close to 1/2 the children in the US and more than 40% of births
medicaid.gov/federal-policy…
“If I stay, there can be no party. I must be out there in the night, staying vigilant...No, I can’t sleep. You sleep. I’m awake. I don’t sleep. I don’t blink. Am I a bird? No. I’m a bat.I am Batman. Or am I? Yes, I am Batman." - Abed, Community
@dogs.bsky.social
#dogsofbluesky
@dogs.bsky.social
#dogsofbluesky
December 18, 2025 at 1:12 PM
“If I stay, there can be no party. I must be out there in the night, staying vigilant...No, I can’t sleep. You sleep. I’m awake. I don’t sleep. I don’t blink. Am I a bird? No. I’m a bat.I am Batman. Or am I? Yes, I am Batman." - Abed, Community
@dogs.bsky.social
#dogsofbluesky
@dogs.bsky.social
#dogsofbluesky
Some respite from the cold and chaos ☀️
Scenes from Kerala, India
Scenes from Kerala, India
December 6, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Some respite from the cold and chaos ☀️
Scenes from Kerala, India
Scenes from Kerala, India
New analysis from @kff.org estimates the number of individuals, including citizen children, who may disenroll from Medicaid or CHIP due to public charge and other immigration-related fears. A potential disenrollment rate of 10%-30% could see 1.3M to 4M people disenroll.
December 3, 2025 at 12:38 AM
New analysis from @kff.org estimates the number of individuals, including citizen children, who may disenroll from Medicaid or CHIP due to public charge and other immigration-related fears. A potential disenrollment rate of 10%-30% could see 1.3M to 4M people disenroll.
@kff.org analysis finds that almost half of noncitizen adults living in the U.S. have one of the health conditions that may be grounds for visa denial based on new State Dept. guidance. The analysis also finds that noncitizens are much less likely than U.S. citizens to have one of these conditions.
November 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
@kff.org analysis finds that almost half of noncitizen adults living in the U.S. have one of the health conditions that may be grounds for visa denial based on new State Dept. guidance. The analysis also finds that noncitizens are much less likely than U.S. citizens to have one of these conditions.
In addition, even prior to these changes, an increasing share of U.S. hospitals reported hiring immigrant nurses. Efforts to restrict immigration on top of the changes discussed in this video could further exacerbate nursing workforce shortages @kff.org
www.kff.org/racial-equit...
www.kff.org/racial-equit...
November 24, 2025 at 6:59 PM
In addition, even prior to these changes, an increasing share of U.S. hospitals reported hiring immigrant nurses. Efforts to restrict immigration on top of the changes discussed in this video could further exacerbate nursing workforce shortages @kff.org
www.kff.org/racial-equit...
www.kff.org/racial-equit...
Reposted by Drishti Pillai, PhD, MPH
⚡ KFF’s Drishti Pillai reacts to a notice the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued that it will begin sharing Medicaid data it receives from states with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for immigration enforcement. https://on.kff.org/3LVA1dK #QuickTake
November 21, 2025 at 10:11 PM
⚡ KFF’s Drishti Pillai reacts to a notice the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued that it will begin sharing Medicaid data it receives from states with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for immigration enforcement. https://on.kff.org/3LVA1dK #QuickTake
CMS just issued a notice that it will start sharing personal data of Medicaid enrollees with ICE for immigration enforcement, including data on immigration status, location, and phone numbers. @kff.org Quick Take discusses the impact this could have on immigrant families
www.kff.org/quick-take/c...
www.kff.org/quick-take/c...
CMS Plans to Share Data with ICE Could Exacerbate Immigrant Families’ Fears About Accessing Health Coverage and Care
This policy change will likely exacerbate fears among immigrant families about health officials and providers sharing patient information with ICE, increasing their reluctance to access health coverag...
www.kff.org
November 21, 2025 at 10:14 PM
CMS just issued a notice that it will start sharing personal data of Medicaid enrollees with ICE for immigration enforcement, including data on immigration status, location, and phone numbers. @kff.org Quick Take discusses the impact this could have on immigrant families
www.kff.org/quick-take/c...
www.kff.org/quick-take/c...
The refugee admissions cap has been set at an all-time low of 7,500 for FY26 and Congress has enacted significant reductions to refugees' and asylees' access to health coverage and other public benefits.
New piece by @kff.org discusses these changes and their implications www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
New piece by @kff.org discusses these changes and their implications www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
November 21, 2025 at 4:35 PM
The refugee admissions cap has been set at an all-time low of 7,500 for FY26 and Congress has enacted significant reductions to refugees' and asylees' access to health coverage and other public benefits.
New piece by @kff.org discusses these changes and their implications www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
New piece by @kff.org discusses these changes and their implications www.kff.org/immigrant-he...
Reposted by Drishti Pillai, PhD, MPH
40% of immigrant adults — and 77% of likely undocumented immigrants — say immigration-related worries have led to negative health impacts since January, including stress, sleep problems, or worsening chronic conditions. https://on.kff.org/47OUlWR
November 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
40% of immigrant adults — and 77% of likely undocumented immigrants — say immigration-related worries have led to negative health impacts since January, including stress, sleep problems, or worsening chronic conditions. https://on.kff.org/47OUlWR
Reposted by Drishti Pillai, PhD, MPH
The trillion dollars in health care cuts passed by Republicans earlier this year are backloaded and mostly won't take effect before the midterms. Letting enhanced ACA tax credits expire would take effect January 1, leading to big out-of-pocket premium increases and more people uninsured.
November 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The trillion dollars in health care cuts passed by Republicans earlier this year are backloaded and mostly won't take effect before the midterms. Letting enhanced ACA tax credits expire would take effect January 1, leading to big out-of-pocket premium increases and more people uninsured.
Reposted by Drishti Pillai, PhD, MPH
Wonky but important question for understanding the effects of proposals to convert ACA premium tax credits to health savings accounts: How big would the contributions be? Would they vary by income, age, and geography in the same way as the premium tax credits?
November 19, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Wonky but important question for understanding the effects of proposals to convert ACA premium tax credits to health savings accounts: How big would the contributions be? Would they vary by income, age, and geography in the same way as the premium tax credits?
Reposted by Drishti Pillai, PhD, MPH
NEW: The New York Times and KFF surveyed 1,800+ immigrants in the United States.
Half of all immigrants say they feel less safe since President Trump took office, and yet the majority are resolved to stay.
Check out the poll's findings:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/u...
Half of all immigrants say they feel less safe since President Trump took office, and yet the majority are resolved to stay.
Check out the poll's findings:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/u...
Under Trump, Immigrants Are More Fearful but Determined to Stay, Poll Finds
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:20 PM
NEW: The New York Times and KFF surveyed 1,800+ immigrants in the United States.
Half of all immigrants say they feel less safe since President Trump took office, and yet the majority are resolved to stay.
Check out the poll's findings:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/u...
Half of all immigrants say they feel less safe since President Trump took office, and yet the majority are resolved to stay.
Check out the poll's findings:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/u...
Reposted by Drishti Pillai, PhD, MPH
When my patients aren't able to come for their follow-up visits, I wonder if this is the case.
Many times it is an issue with insurance, which at this point is almost a relief that it wasn't something worse.
Many times it is an issue with insurance, which at this point is almost a relief that it wasn't something worse.
The share of immigrant adults who skipped or postponed health care in the past 12 months rose from 22% in 2023 to 29% in 2025.
Among them, 1 in 5 cite immigration-related concerns.
See more findings in the KFF-@nytimes.com survey: https://on.kff.org/47OUlWR
Among them, 1 in 5 cite immigration-related concerns.
See more findings in the KFF-@nytimes.com survey: https://on.kff.org/47OUlWR
November 18, 2025 at 9:53 PM
When my patients aren't able to come for their follow-up visits, I wonder if this is the case.
Many times it is an issue with insurance, which at this point is almost a relief that it wasn't something worse.
Many times it is an issue with insurance, which at this point is almost a relief that it wasn't something worse.