Kaiser Family Foundation Explained

KFF
Founder:Henry J. Kaiser
Type:NGO
Status:Public charity
Purpose:Health care, health policy
Headquarters:San Francisco, California, U.S.
Leader Title:President and CEO
Leader Name:Drew Altman
Revenue:$53,799,622[1]
Revenue Year:2019
Expenses:$54,877,435
Expenses Year:2019

KFF, which was formerly known as The Kaiser Family Foundation or The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, is an American non-profit organization, headquartered in San Francisco, California. It prefers KFF, which is its business operating name, to reduce confusion because it is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente and it is no longer a foundation.[2] KFF states that it is a non-partisan organization focused on health policy. It conducts its own research, polling, journalism, and specialized public health information campaigns.[3] Its website has been heralded for having the "most up-to-date and accurate information on health policy"[4] and as a "must-read for healthcare devotees."[5]

Current activities

Policy analysis and polling

KFF publishes analysis, polling and journalism about health-care issues, and states that much of its work especially concerns persons with low income or those who are otherwise especially vulnerable to health-care cost, such as the uninsured, those with chronic illnesses, or Medicaid/Medicare recipients. In addition to domestic U.S. health policy issues, KFF also conducts work on the U.S. role in global health policy.[6]

In early 2020 its analysis and polling focused heavily on the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2010, KFF began providing resources for consumers seeking information about the then new health insurance law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with a series of animated videos[7] explaining the health law and health insurance terms as well as a calculator[8] for people to estimate what health insurance coverage would cost them.

KFF is also well known for public opinion research, documenting the views and experiences of the public on health and related issuesoften in partnership with major news organizations, such as The Washington Post[9] and The New York Times.[10]

Health news and information

As one of the core programs of KFF, KFF Health News focuses on coverage of health care policy and politics.[11] KFF Health News provides coverage of health policy issues and developments at the federal and state levels in the health care marketplace and health care delivery system.[12] It was formerly known as Kaiser Health News (KHN), but was renamed in April 2023 to communicate its ownership by KFF.[13]

In 2020, KFF Health News reporters were finalists for a Pulitzer Prize in Investigative Reporting for exposing predatory bill collection by the University of Virginia Health System that relentlessly squeezed low-income patientsmany into bankruptcyforcing the non-profit, state-run hospital to change its tactics.[14]

KFF formerly sponsored training and site visits for health care reporters.[15] [16]

KFF also works with major media and corporate partners, government agencies and health departments, national leadership and community organizations, and other partners to create large-scale public information campaigns on pressing health and social issues, mostly on HIV/AIDS.

Under Greater Than HIV[17] (formerly Greater Than AIDS)a national public information response to the U.S. epidemic launched in 2009KFF works with a broad cross-section of public and private partners[18] to increase knowledge, reduce stigma and promote actions to stem the spread of HIV. While national in scope, Greater Than HIV focuses on communities most affected. Previous programs include Greater than Covid and Get Yourself Tested.[19] [20]

History

KFF was established in 1948 by Henry J. Kaiser. At that time, the organization, which was known as the Kaiser Family Foundation, was set up in Oakland, California, the same city in which Kaiser Permanente's headquarters were located. Later, KFF moved to Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, about 35 miles away from Oakland. In 2018, it relocated to San Francisco, CA.[21]

When Kaiser died in 1967, his second wife, Alyce Chester, inherited half of his estate, and the other half went to the KFF. Ale sold all of her holdings, moved far away, and remarried. Mr. Kaiser's children received very little direct inheritance; but did receive authority to run the Kaiser Industries businesses, and the Kaiser Family Foundation.

In 1977, ten years after Kaiser's death, the conglomerate of disparate Kaiser Industries organizations split apart. The Kaiser Family Foundation was initially a major owner of these shares: at the time of dissolution, the foundation owned 32 percent, according to Fortune Magazine.[22]

By 1985, the foundation no longer had an ownership stake in the Kaiser companies and is no longer associated with Kaiser Permanente or Kaiser Industries.[23] KFF is now an independent national organization with a Board of Trustees that have backgrounds in public service, academia, nonprofits, health care, and media.[24]

Starting in September 1990, KFF CEO Drew Altman directed "a complete overhaul of the Foundation's mission and operating style." Altman changed a "sleepy grant-making organization" (some $30 million a year interest on the $400 million endowment), into a leading voice and repository for facts and information on health-care issues, [25] remaking the organization by establishing new programs, recruiting staff, becoming an operating foundation and then later, a public charity.[26]

Notable members of the board of trustees

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . 15 November 2016 . Foundation Center . 2 January 2018 .
  2. Web site: About Us. www.kff.org. 12 April 2023. 18 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210218210902/https://www.kff.org/presidents-message/. live.
  3. Web site: More About KFF. www.kff.org. 12 April 2023. 18 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201218132700/https://www.kff.org/more-about-the-kaiser-family-foundation/. live.
  4. News: Presenting the third annual Wonky awards. 19 May 2015. The Washington Post. December 31, 2013. 18 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150618122157/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/12/31/presenting-the-third-annual-wonky-awards/. live.
  5. News: Duke Helfand. Spreading the health. 22 Aug 2019. Los Angeles Times. April 18, 2010. 22 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190822153005/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-apr-18-la-fi-himi18-2010apr18-story.html. live.
  6. Web site: Our Programs. www.kff.org. 8 April 2010 . 19 May 2015. 8 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150508084656/http://kff.org/our-programs/. live.
  7. News: Insurance Lingo Boggles Consumers. 19 May 2015. Health News Florida. November 13, 2014. 22 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150522055114/http://health.wusf.usf.edu/post/insurance-lingo-boggles-consumers. live.
  8. News: Mike Oliver. Use newly updated calculator to see if you qualify for Obamacare subsidy to buy insurance in 2015. 19 May 2015. AL.com. November 13, 2014. 17 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150517052855/http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2014/11/use_this_updated_calculator_to.html. live.
  9. News: Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation rural and small-town America poll. 23 June 2017. The Washington Post. June 2017. 17 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170617192831/http://apps.washingtonpost.com/g/page/national/washington-post-kaiser-family-foundation-rural-and-small-town-america-poll/2217/. live.
  10. News: Full Results of The New York Times/Kaiser Family Foundation Poll. 19 May 2015. The New York Times. April 23, 2014. 23 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150523102405/http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/04/23/upshot/24upshot-south-poll.html?_r=0&abt=0002&abg=0. live.
  11. Web site: About Us. kaiserhealthnews.org. 19 May 2015. 24 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150424032644/http://kaiserhealthnews.org/about-us/. live.
  12. News: Tom Gilbert. Kaiser Health News: A Model of Symbiosis. 19 May 2015. April 2014. TVWeek.com News Pro. 23–24. 15 March 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150315112435/http://www.tvweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/NP041414_Croppedv2.pdf. live.
  13. Web site: About Us. kff.org. 12 April 2023.
  14. Web site: Finalist: Jay Hancock and Elizabeth Lucas of Kaiser Health News. pulitzer.org. Pulitzer. 27 July 2020. 6 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200506050048/https://www.pulitzer.org/finalists/jay-hancock-and-elizabeth-lucas-kaiser-health-news. live.
  15. News: Jason Millman. A reminder that not everyone loves more transparency for health-care prices. 19 May 2015. The Washington Post. June 23, 2014. 10 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150510172809/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/06/23/a-reminder-that-not-everyone-loves-more-transparency-for-health-care-prices/. live.
  16. Web site: Media Internships & Fellowships. www.kff.org. 3 March 2015 . 19 May 2015. 8 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150508111256/http://kff.org/media-internships-fellowships/. live.
  17. Web site: Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS Team with Health Departments and Local AIDS Service Organizations to Provide Free HIV Testing in Support of National HIV Testing Day. walgreens.com. 19 May 2015. June 13, 2013. 6 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150606104031/http://news.walgreens.com/press-releases/community-news/walgreens-and-greater-than-aids-team-with-health-departments-and-local-aids-service-organizations-to-provide-free-hiv-testing-in-support-of-national-hiv-testing-day.htm. live.
  18. Web site: Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS Team with Health Departments and Local AIDS Service Organizations to Provide Free HIV Testing in Support of National HIV Testing Day. walgreens.com. 19 May 2015. June 13, 2013. 6 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150606104031/http://news.walgreens.com/press-releases/community-news/walgreens-and-greater-than-aids-team-with-health-departments-and-local-aids-service-organizations-to-provide-free-hiv-testing-in-support-of-national-hiv-testing-day.htm. live.
  19. Web site: GYT: Get Yourself Tested Campaign. npin.cdc.gov. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 19 May 2015. 21 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150521093723/http://npin.cdc.gov/STDAwareness/GYT.aspx. live.
  20. Web site: GYT: Get Yourself Tested (United States). weforum.org. World Economic Forum. 19 May 2015. 25 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150525214451/http://www.weforum.org/best-practices/creative-good/gyt-get-yourself-tested-united-states. live.
  21. News: Diamond. Dan. POLITICO Pulse. 7 March 2018. Politico. 8 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180308002433/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-pulse/2018/03/01/gao-to-probe-trumps-response-to-opioid-crisis-119844. live.
  22. News: The Kaisers and Their Empire . . February 1977.
  23. News: An Empire Fades Away, But Its Legacy Lingers On; Final Chapter Is Being Written for What Once Was West's Greatest Industrial Power . Los Angeles Times . August 4, 1985 . Donna K.H. Walters . 2013-11-02 . 2013-11-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131106080157/http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/business/fi-4512_1_empire . live .
  24. Web site: Board of Trustees. kff.org. 12 April 2023.
  25. News: Lois Romano. Health care? He's got it covered.. 19 May 2015. The Washington Post. November 2, 2009. 5 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305114034/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/11/01/ST2009110102616.html?sid=ST2009110102616. live.
  26. Web site: President's Message. kff.org. 12 April 2023.

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