Expiring Federal Health Program Authorizations
This resource provides an overview of federal health programs whose authorizations have expired or are set to expire. As Congress considers whether and how to reauthorize these programs, funders have an opportunity to understand what is at stake and help inform policymakers about those affected by potential changes or inaction. It explains how the congressional authorization and appropriations processes shape program funding, and highlights opportunities for funders to inform policymakers about community needs, program impact, and priorities for reauthorization or continued funding.
Select Legal Challenges Relevant to Health Funders in 2026
This resource highlights key court cases that could affect health funders, their communities, and their partners. It focuses on legal challenges to changes in federal programs and policies implemented by the current Administration. The brief also highlights significant cases related to health funders’ priorities. Understanding these cases can help funders anticipate changes in federal policy, assess potential implications, and identify opportunities to support or protect health programs and services.
2026 Terrance Keenan Institute Fellows Named
GIH is delighted to announce the 2026 Terrance Keenan Institute for Emerging Leaders in Health Philanthropy class of fellows.
Elevating Community Priorities to Shape Georgia’s Health Policy Agenda
Georgia stands at a pivotal moment that will shape the direction of health policy in our state. With an open governor’s race in 2026, along with other open seats, we’re on the cusp of significant political transition. While new leadership introduces uncertainty, it also creates opportunity. This moment opens the door for nonpartisan, nonprofit, private foundations like our team at Georgia Health Initiative to play a constructive role in elevating community priorities to shape a health policy agenda designed to work for all Georgians.
GIH Health Policy Update Newsletter
The Latest
An Exclusive Resource for Funding Partners
The Health Policy Update is a newsletter produced in collaboration with Leavitt Partners and Trust for America’s Health. Drawing on GIH’s policy priorities outlined in our policy agenda and our strategic objective of increasing our policy and advocacy presence, the Health Policy Update provides GIH Funding Partners with a range of federal health policy news.
Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges
A new report from the National Institutes of Health provides a road map on how to improve the nation’s oral health. Released by NIH’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), the report emphasizes the importance of oral health, and challenges to the creation of more equitable access to oral health services. Potential roles for health philanthropy are highlighted including grantmaking and policy engagement regarding insurance access, community health education, and school-based dental services.
AHRQ Releases Annual Update on U.S. Healthcare Quality, Disparities
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has released its National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report, which details the state of healthcare quality and disparities in the United States. The report identifies improvements in HIV and colon cancer care, nursing home care, and medication prescribing to older adults. The report also indicates that more work needs to be done to address disparities in important areas. Among the findings, dental and oral health care services have not substantially improved, particularly for people with low income or who live in rural areas.
Reimagining A Quality Information System For US Health Care
Recommendations include: a national data infrastructure that operates independent of practice setting; aligned multipayer incentives that support needed infrastructure investments; longitudinal patient-reported outcome measures captured both in-clinic and through mobile technologies; a series of robust regional demonstration projects to broaden stakeholder understanding and technical capability; and a governance mechanism that assures both simplification and alignment of methods.
How does cost affect access to care?
In this chart collection, authors from the Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation Health System Tracker explore trends in how costs affect access to care in the U.S. based on the National Health Interview Survey data through 2020. Health spending per person in the U.S. averaged almost $12,000 in 2020, nearly double the average in other large high-income countries.
Planning for the End of the Continuous Coverage Requirement: A Communications Toolkit for States
The end of the Medicaid continuous coverage requirement presents states with tremendous opportunities to keep individuals enrolled in health coverage. This toolkit provides a communications planning guide and template communications resources designed to support state Medicaid agencies as they prepare for the upcoming end of the continuous coverage requirement.
What Eliminating Barriers to Interstate Telehealth Taught Us During the Pandemic
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all states and the federal government approved unprecedented flexibilities that significantly aided the response to the crisis by expanding telehealth, bolstering care in underserved areas, increasing access to mental health services, and importantly, providing some relief for overstressed hospitals and health systems losing health care workers. Now, as temporary waivers in most states are expiring, this publication describes opportunities to apply lessons learned to bring long-term benefits to the health care system.