Evidence-Based Policymaking

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Executive SummaryRegulations often restrict the range of market choices available to consumers, yet they are promulgated without a quantitative analysis of that cost—a fundamental flaw in regulatory impact analysis. This paper fills the gap by supplying a portable choice-value factor. The factor compares value at the unconstrained mix with regulation-constrained value.

Health care provider taxes and state-directed payment policies in the Working Families and Tax Cut legislation are expected to reduce non-Medicaid prices by up to 3.5 percent in markets with provider taxes and reduce spending on Medicaid, commercial and Medicare coverage.

The Welfare Indicators Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-432) requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to prepare an annual report to Congress on indicators and predictors of “welfare dependence.” That Act requires the report to include three programs: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program (which replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)

Children, youth, and families have unique health needs, which set the foundation for health across the life course; chronic conditions now affect nearly one in three U.S. children, with disproportionate prevalence in those enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) analyzes the benefits, costs, and other impacts of significant proposed and final rulemakings, consistent with the requirements of several executive orders and statutes. HHS develops these analyses according to technical guidance published by the U.S.

The Welfare Indicators Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-432) requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to prepare an annual report to Congress on indicators and predictors of “welfare dependence.” That Act requires the report to include three programs: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program (which replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)

The Fiscal Year (FY) HHS 2026 Evaluation plan includes four (4) evaluations reflecting evidence-building activities in different Operating and Staff Divisions across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The selected evaluations highlight activities that will generate actionable evidence in FY 2026 on priority topics.

This brief describes how enhancing linked data infrastructure across health and human services programs can improve efficiency, increase transparency through strengthening outcomes research, and empower patients and families to make more informed choices.