heathersaunders.bsky.social
Heather Saunders
@heathersaunders.bsky.social
970 followers 760 following 12 posts
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Policy | Program on Medicaid and Uninsured | Senior Research Manager @KFF
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heathersaunders.bsky.social
Heather Saunders @heathersaunders.bsky.social · Aug 22
New @kff.org brief about the intersections of homelessness, mental illness, and shortages of inpatient and specialized outpatient treatment. Read more: www.kff.org/mental-healt...
A Look at the New Executive Order and the Intersection of Homelessness and Mental Illness | KFF
This brief describes the new executive order, examines the intersection of homelessness and mental illness, reviews the history of the deinstitutionalization movement, and discusses specialized treatm...
www.kff.org
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Reposted by Heather Saunders
heathersaunders.bsky.social
Heather Saunders @heathersaunders.bsky.social · Jul 15
NEW @kff.org, 988: On its three-year anniversary, 988 continues to grow, exceeding half a million contacts monthly. Suicide deaths held steady from 2022 to 2023—too soon to know 988's impact, but this marks a break from prior upward trends.

See more: www.kff.org/policy-watch...
Demand for 988 Continues to Grow at Third Anniversary | KFF
This policy watch examines 988 on its third anniversary, drawing from the latest Lifeline data available through May 2025 and suicide death data from CDC WONDER for the period 2013 to 2023. 988 receiv...
www.kff.org
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heathersaunders.bsky.social
Heather Saunders @heathersaunders.bsky.social · Jul 15
NEW @kff.org, 988: On its three-year anniversary, 988 continues to grow, exceeding half a million contacts monthly. Suicide deaths held steady from 2022 to 2023—too soon to know 988's impact, but this marks a break from prior upward trends.

See more: www.kff.org/policy-watch...
Demand for 988 Continues to Grow at Third Anniversary | KFF
This policy watch examines 988 on its third anniversary, drawing from the latest Lifeline data available through May 2025 and suicide death data from CDC WONDER for the period 2013 to 2023. 988 receiv...
www.kff.org
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Reposted by Heather Saunders
kff.org
KFF @kff.org · Jul 2
⚡ 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.”
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Reposted by Heather Saunders
kff.org
KFF @kff.org · Jul 1
Should the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ reach President Trump’s desk, “it would represent the biggest rollback in federal support for health coverage ever,” writes KFF’s @larrylevitt.bsky.social.

For @nytopinion.nytimes.com, Larry writes about the potential impact of the bill:
Opinion | We’ve Never Seen Health Care Cuts This Big
www.nytimes.com
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Reposted by Heather Saunders
kff.org
KFF @kff.org · Jul 2
The Senate-passed reconciliation bill would cut federal Medicaid spending by $1 trillion, per CBO.

The cuts would represent 15% of federal spending on Medicaid over 10 years — over $200 billion more than the cuts in the House-passed bill. on.kff.org/3ZWnUBp
Chart from KFF showing CBO’s estimated 10-year federal spending cuts by policy in the Senate Reconciliation Bill, focusing on total Medicaid cuts of $1 trillion. The tree map chart splits categories by ACA Expansion (work requirements, provider taxes, eligibility redeterminations, other) and all states (eligibility rule changes, limits on state-directed payments, other, and provider taxes).
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Reposted by Heather Saunders
kff.org
KFF @kff.org · Jul 2
Under the Senate-passed reconciliation bill, federal Medicaid spending in rural areas is estimated to decline by $155 billion.

That is more than the House-passed bill — and far more than the $50 billion appropriated for the rural health fund. on.kff.org/45S2fOC
KFF bar chart titled “Senate-passed reconciliation bill would reduce federal Medicaid spending in rural areas by $155 billion, exceeding House bill estimates; $50 billion rural health fund would partially offset reductions in rural areas.” The chart shows the House-passed reconciliation bill federal Medicaid spending reductions in rural areas (-$119B); the Senate-passed reconciliation bill federal Medicaid spending reductions in rural areas (-$155B); and the Senate-passed rural health fund ($50B).
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heathersaunders.bsky.social
Heather Saunders @heathersaunders.bsky.social · Jul 2
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
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heathersaunders.bsky.social
Heather Saunders @heathersaunders.bsky.social · Jul 2
NEW RURAL BRIEF @KFF: 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
heathersaunders.bsky.social
Heather Saunders @heathersaunders.bsky.social · Jun 27
NEW @kff.org: House reconciliation bill could reduce Medicaid spending in rural areas by $119B over 10 yrs. Over half of the reductions would be in 12 states with large rural populations and expanded Medicaid: KY, NC, OH, IL, VA, MI, NY, WA, PA, OK, LA and AR. See: www.kff.org/policy-watch...
How Might the Reconciliation Bill’s Medicaid Cuts Affect Rural Areas? | KFF
This analysis estimates that the House-passed reconciliation bill could lead Medicaid spending in rural areas to decrease by $119 billion and a 1.5 million drop in enrollment over 10 years.
www.kff.org
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heathersaunders.bsky.social
Heather Saunders @heathersaunders.bsky.social · Jun 24
NEW @KFF Brief – Medicaid Work & Reporting Requirements (MH/SUD)--Currently, no mandatory flexibility for temporary crises (e.g., acute mental health episodes). Those briefly falling short of hours may lose coverage at renewal or denial at application.

See: www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
Implications of Medicaid Work and Reporting Requirements for Adults with Mental Health or Substance Use Disorders | KFF
This brief describes key challenges that Medicaid work requirements may pose for adults with mental health or substance use disorders. In May, the House passed a budget reconciliation bill that includ...
www.kff.org
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heathersaunders.bsky.social
Heather Saunders @heathersaunders.bsky.social · Jun 24
New @KFF explainer on proposed work requirements: www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
A Closer Look at the Medicaid Work Requirement Provisions in the “Big Beautiful Bill” | KFF
On May 22, the House passed a budget reconciliation bill that includes significant changes to the Medicaid program. On June 16, the Senate Finance committee released proposed reconciliation language w...
www.kff.org
heathersaunders.bsky.social
Heather Saunders @heathersaunders.bsky.social · Jun 24
NEW @KFF Brief – Medicaid Work/Reporting & MH/SUD:

Expansion adults would be subject to work or securing exemption. Data limitations mean exemptions are unlikely to be fully automated, requiring self-reporting--key challenge seen previously.

www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
Implications of Medicaid Work and Reporting Requirements for Adults with Mental Health or Substance Use Disorders | KFF
This brief describes key challenges that Medicaid work requirements may pose for adults with mental health or substance use disorders. In May, the House passed a budget reconciliation bill that includ...
www.kff.org
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Reposted by Heather Saunders
lindseydawson.bsky.social
Lindsey Dawson (she/her) @lindseydawson.bsky.social · Jun 11
988 suicide & crisis line’s service for LGBTQ young people has fielded over 1M contacts—but the FY2026 budget request eliminates its funding. As usage rises, its future is uncertain. Our new brief explores the landscape and latest data: www.kff.org/mental-healt... w/ @heathersaunders.bsky.social
Growing Uncertainty About the Future of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline's LGBTQI+ Service | KFF
This brief reviews the latest data on the 988 LGBTQI+ service and explores its future, including recent uncertainties.
www.kff.org
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heathersaunders.bsky.social
Heather Saunders @heathersaunders.bsky.social · May 16
NEW: Recent federal proposals may affect Medicaid coverage and treatment access at a time when opioid deaths are declining but future trends are uncertain

See @kff.org Quick Take: www.kff.org/quick-take/o...
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heathersaunders.bsky.social
Heather Saunders @heathersaunders.bsky.social · May 16
NEW: Recent federal proposals may affect Medicaid coverage and treatment access at a time when opioid deaths are declining but future trends are uncertain

See @kff.org Quick Take: www.kff.org/quick-take/o...
Reposted by Heather Saunders
kff.org
KFF @kff.org · May 16
⚡ KFF’s @heathersaunders.bsky.social writes about how current federal proposals — particularly potential Medicaid reductions — introduce uncertainty about sustaining recent declines in opioid deaths. #QuickTake on.kff.org/43yc4zw
KFF graphic featuring a quote from Heather Saunders, KFF Senior Research Manager, Program on Medicaid & Uninsured. It says, “Medicaid is the primary source of coverage for adults with opioid use disorder... However, recent federal proposals may affect Medicaid coverage and treatment access at a time when opioid deaths are declining but future trends are uncertain.”
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heathersaunders.bsky.social
Heather Saunders @heathersaunders.bsky.social · May 14
NEW: As opioid deaths begin trending down, proposed Medicaid cuts could interrupt care. Data show that Medicaid is key in the opioid response—covering 47% of all adults w/OUD, 56% of those receiving medication, and 64% receiving outpatient care. See @kff.org brief: www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
Implications of Potential Federal Medicaid Reductions for Addressing the Opioid Epidemic | KFF
Medicaid is the main source of coverage for adults with opioid use disorder and among those receiving treatment services. Most adults with OUD in Medicaid are eligible through Medicaid expansion.
www.kff.org
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heathersaunders.bsky.social
Heather Saunders @heathersaunders.bsky.social · Apr 11
Three in four adults enrolled in Medicaid have one or more chronic conditions.

See new @kff.org brief with state and national numbers and condition breakouts-- www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
5 Key Facts About Medicaid Coverage for Adults with Chronic Conditions | KFF
Nearly three in four adults enrolled in Medicaid have one or more chronic conditions. Medicaid spending doubles for adults with 1-2 chronic conditions and quadruples for those with 3 or more chronic c...
www.kff.org
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Reposted by Heather Saunders
robinr.bsky.social
Robin Rudowitz @robinr.bsky.social · Feb 19
The @KFF #Medicaid team has been busy - check out our round-up of recently released resources: connect.kff.org/medicaid-top...
medicaid topic roundup february 2025
connect.kff.org
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Reposted by Heather Saunders
robinr.bsky.social
Robin Rudowitz @robinr.bsky.social · Feb 4
Five for-profit, publicly traded companies – Centene, Elevance (formerly Anthem), UnitedHealth Group, Molina, and CVS Health – account for 50% of Medicaid MCO enrollment nationally. www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
A Look at Medicaid Enrollment and Finances of the Five Largest Medicaid Managed Care Plans | KFF
This brief examines enrollment and financial data through the end of September 2024 from quarterly company earnings reports and calls, financial filings, and other company materials as well as from na...
www.kff.org
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Reposted by Heather Saunders
robinr.bsky.social
Robin Rudowitz @robinr.bsky.social · Feb 4
With discussions of #Medicaid work requirements back on the agenda through federal legislative proposals or 1115 waivers, @KFF updated our brief looking at the data: www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
Understanding the Intersection of Medicaid and Work: An Update | KFF
Amid renewed interest in Medicaid work requirements as part of a broader legislative package designed to significantly reduce federal Medicaid spending, KFF has updated its analysis of the work status...
www.kff.org
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Reposted by Heather Saunders
cynthiaccox.bsky.social
Cynthia Cox @cynthiaccox.bsky.social · Feb 2
NEW: several federal datasets and health surveys came offline on Friday

We @kff.org explain what these data are & how they’re used in interventions to address our nation’s biggest health challenges
@jenkatesdc.bsky.social @mattrae.bsky.social @lindseydawson.bsky.social

www.kff.org/policy-watch...
A Look at Federal Health Data Taken Offline | KFF
This post looks at federal government databases with key health data that went offline on Jan. 31, 2025, including several related to HIV, some of which had returned by Feb. 2, 2025. It briefly descri...
www.kff.org
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Reposted by Heather Saunders
larrylevitt.bsky.social
Larry Levitt @larrylevitt.bsky.social · Jan 31
Context for the CDC eliminating data from its website today. This was in Project 2025.
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Reposted by Heather Saunders
larrylevitt.bsky.social
Larry Levitt @larrylevitt.bsky.social · Jan 27
The confirmation hearings for RFK Jr. this week will likely focus a lot on vaccines and food and drug safety, which are certainly big issues.

At the same time, HHS is an enormous agency that, among other things, oversees health coverage for over half the population.
www.kff.org/policy-watch...
How Does the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Impact Health and Health Care? | KFF
This policy watch provides a short overview of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), describing its history, budget, organizational structure and its major programs and responsibilities.
www.kff.org
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