The Kaiser Family Foundation, operating today as KFF, is a leading non-profit organization that provides objective, fact-based information on major health policy and healthcare issues. Since being remade into its modern form in 1991, KFF has established itself as an authoritative and independent voice in a crowded healthcare landscape. Through its various programs, KFF delivers crucial research, polling data, and journalism to inform decision-makers and promote a better understanding of the U.S. healthcare system and global health policy. Its work is widely cited by policymakers, journalists, and health professionals.
KFF's Purpose and History
Originally founded by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser in 1948, the organization underwent a significant transformation in 1991 under the leadership of CEO Drew Altman. It evolved from a grant-making foundation into a public charity that actively develops and runs its own programs. A key change was adopting the simpler operating name, KFF, to clearly distinguish itself from Kaiser Permanente, a healthcare provider with which it has no affiliation. KFF's mission, guided by Kaiser's motto "find a need and fill it," is to fill the need for trusted information on national health issues.
Today, KFF operates primarily with the returns from its endowment, supplemented by support from other foundations and donors. This funding model ensures its operational independence and allows it to provide its resources free of charge. Its commitment to non-partisanship is central to its credibility, and its research avoids taking policy positions.
Key Programs and Resources
KFF's work is organized around several core program areas, each contributing to its mission of informing the public and policy community.
- Policy Analysis and Research: KFF's research staff analyzes complex policy issues, from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and health costs to Medicaid and Medicare. This work often focuses on issues affecting vulnerable populations like the uninsured and low-income individuals.
- Polling and Public Opinion: The polling team conducts original surveys on Americans' attitudes and experiences with the healthcare system. This data helps bring the public's voice into major health debates and is frequently published in partnership with news organizations.
- Journalism: KFF Health News is a national newsroom that provides in-depth, original reporting on healthcare policy and delivery. Its stories are often republished by major news outlets, ensuring broad dissemination of information.
- Public Health Information Campaigns: KFF collaborates with media and corporate partners on large-scale public health campaigns, often focusing on issues like HIV/AIDS. These initiatives use multi-platform communication strategies to reach large audiences.
- Health Information and Trust Initiative: This newer program tracks health misinformation, analyzes its impact, and mobilizes media efforts to counter it and build public trust.
One of KFF's most popular resources is its State Health Facts, a free online tool offering up-to-date health data for all 50 states and other territories. Users can access data on hundreds of health indicators, covering health costs, coverage, demographics, and disparities.
Comparing KFF to Other Health Organizations
While KFF is a critical voice in the health policy arena, it differs significantly from other organizations in how it operates and delivers its mission.
| Feature | KFF | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Independent non-profit, public charity, operating foundation | Federal government agency | Grant-making private foundation |
| Focus | Policy research, polling, and journalism on national and global health issues | Public health protection, disease control, health promotion, and prevention | Grant-making to organizations that promote health equity and a Culture of Health |
| Output | Reports, analyses, policy briefs, polling data, news articles, information campaigns | Surveillance data, guidelines, recommendations, research, public health communications | Funding for external research, projects, and initiatives |
| Funding | Endowment returns, external grants from other foundations, and donor support | U.S. federal government appropriations | Endowment and investment returns |
Conclusion: A Vital Source for Health Information
What is KFF? It is far more than just a name derived from its founder; it is a vital, non-partisan institution in the healthcare landscape. By providing timely, credible, and free information through its comprehensive research, polling, and journalism, KFF helps shape informed debates and decisions on complex health issues. Its work empowers policymakers, journalists, and the public to better understand the healthcare system and address persistent challenges, from racial disparities to escalating health costs. In a world of increasing health information and policy complexity, KFF's dedication to unbiased, factual reporting remains an indispensable public service. For more information, visit the official KFF website.
