Dr. Altman has led the organization for nearly 40 years; Levitt and Dr. Brodie to assume leadership roles next year, after a combined six decades at KFF in senior positions guiding policy research and polling
After nearly 40 years shaping the national health policy landscape and leading it through pivotal debates, KFF announced today that Dr. Drew Altman will retire from his role as Founding President and Chief Executive Officer on December 31. KFF’s Board of Trustees has appointed Larry Levitt and Dr. Mollyann Brodie as the new leadership team. Beginning in 2027, Levitt and Dr. Brodie will assume the leadership positions of CEO and President, respectively.
Since Dr. Altman founded the modern-day KFF, coming to California in 1990 to establish it from what once was the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, the organization has become the nation’s leading source of health policy analysis, polling, and news. Under his leadership, KFF has evolved into a one-of-a-kind information organization, bringing together policy research, polling and survey research, and journalism, most recently through the creation of KFF Health News, the nation’s largest health policy newsroom. There is no organization in the country that has played a more pivotal role in informing policymakers, the media, and the public with data-centered analysis about U.S. health policy.
“Building KFF over the last three plus decades has been a mission for me,” said Dr. Drew Altman, Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of KFF. “My whole purpose has been to build an institution that could be a force for people and for truth in health care, and we’ve achieved that and more. Together, we have built an organization that combines policy research, polling, and news all in one, a new kind of information organization. I’m immensely proud of that legacy and KFF’s role at the highest levels of health policy. Larry and Molly each play a central role as KFF’s executive team now and have for years, and I have complete confidence in their leadership, in KFF’s remarkable staff who do our work, in our Board, and in KFF’s future.”
“With two small grandkids in Sacramento and Atlanta and another on the way, after what will be almost 37 years of very hands-on leadership since I founded KFF, and with KFF at the apex of its effectiveness, and the opportunity for a perfect transition, the clock in my head is telling me it’s time,” Dr. Altman added.
“KFF is the most trusted and respected voice in health policy, in large part because of Drew Altman and his vision and leadership. During my time in the U.S. Senate, the organization’s data and research were invaluable in shaping key health care decisions, underscoring the impact of KFF’s work, and the organization continues to play a unique and monumental role today,” said former U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe, Chair of KFF’s Board of Trustees. “Recognizing this is a pivotal moment for KFF, the Board engaged in a lengthy succession planning process, which was deliberative and thoughtful. Based on our governance considerations, the Board identified two exceptional leaders, Dr. Mollyann Brodie and Larry Levitt, who not only know this organization, but who have helped it grow and evolve into what it is today. We therefore selected Larry and Molly to serve as CEO and President, respectively. As we look to the future of KFF, Molly and Larry’s deep experience, understanding of KFF, and their unwavering commitment to its mission make them the best team to guide us into an exciting next chapter.”
Under Dr. Altman’s leadership, KFF has been a cornerstone of the nation’s health policy and health journalism landscapes—anchoring pivotal debates with rigorous, nonpartisan data analysis and reporting. Its work has informed understanding of landmark policies, including key provisions of the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and Medicare, and provided essential context during moments of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, when its COVID Vaccine Monitor and reporting became vital resources used around the country. Since the 1990s, KFF’s data and analyses have helped illuminate the real-world implications for people of proposals like Medicaid block grants, ensuring that policymakers and the public alike are equipped with credible, evidence-based insights.
Following the recommendation of a search committee led by Board Vice-Chair Jim Canales, KFF’s Board unanimously appointed Levitt and Dr. Brodie as incoming CEO and President, respectively. Both have served as Dr. Altman’s executive team for over a decade. Levitt, who will take over as CEO, currently serves as Executive Vice President for Health Policy, overseeing KFF’s policy analysis of programs including Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, women’s health, racial equity, global health, and more. Dr. Brodie currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, overseeing KFF’s operations and leading its nationally recognized Public Opinion and Survey Research Program, and recently received the American Association of Public Opinion Research’s Award for Exceptionally Distinguished Achievement for her professional accomplishments in the field. She will assume the role of President. Levitt and Dr. Brodie will both serve on the Board.
“We are grateful for Drew’s vision in establishing KFF as a leading source for independent and nonpartisan health policy information and look forward to continuing that mission,” said Dr. Molly Brodie, incoming President of KFF, and Larry Levitt, incoming Chief Executive Officer of KFF, in a joint statement. “We appreciate the vote of confidence in us by KFF’s Trustees and are excited to work together to lead an organization of immensely talented and professional staff.”
“With ongoing debates over affordability and other important health policy issues, KFF will continue to bring to the table timely and credible facts through our trusted research and journalism,” said Levitt. “We will build on the credibility KFF has established as an independent and nonpartisan source of health policy information in an increasingly polarized environment.”
“KFF will continue our laser focus on how health policies and the health care system affect real people,” said Dr. Brodie. “We are committed to leading KFF as a trusted source of information in an era of declining trust in public and private health care institutions.”
Dr. Altman will continue to work closely with Dr. Brodie and Levitt to ensure a smooth transition. He will continue in his role as President and CEO through the end of 2026, with Levitt and Dr. Brodie assuming their new leadership roles in January 2027.
Facts Only
Drew Altman, Founding President and CEO of KFF, will retire on December 31, 2026.
Altman has led KFF for nearly 40 years, establishing it in 1990 as the modern-day organization from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
KFF is recognized as the nation’s leading source of health policy analysis, polling, and news.
The KFF Board of Trustees has appointed Larry Levitt as CEO and Dr. Mollyann Brodie as President, effective January 2027.
Levitt currently serves as Executive Vice President for Health Policy at KFF.
Dr. Brodie currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at KFF.
Both Levitt and Brodie have been part of KFF’s executive team for over a decade.
The Board’s succession process was deliberative and resulted in a unanimous decision.
Altman cited personal reasons, including family, for his retirement.
KFF’s work includes policy research, polling, and journalism, notably through KFF Health News.
The organization has played a key role in health policy debates, including the Affordable Care Act and COVID-19 pandemic response.
Altman will remain in his role through 2026 to ensure a smooth transition.
Executive Summary
Drew Altman, the founding President and CEO of KFF, will retire on December 31, 2026, after nearly 40 years of leadership. The KFF Board of Trustees has appointed Larry Levitt and Dr. Mollyann Brodie as the new leadership team, with Levitt assuming the role of CEO and Brodie becoming President in January 2027. Altman established KFF in 1990, transforming it into a leading source of health policy analysis, polling, and journalism, including the creation of KFF Health News. Under his leadership, KFF has played a pivotal role in informing policymakers, media, and the public on critical health issues, from the Affordable Care Act to the COVID-19 pandemic. Levitt currently serves as Executive Vice President for Health Policy, while Brodie is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, overseeing KFF’s operations and public opinion research. Both have been part of KFF’s executive team for over a decade. The transition follows a deliberative succession process by the Board, which emphasized continuity and institutional knowledge. Altman cited personal reasons, including family, for his retirement, while expressing confidence in the organization’s future under the new leadership.
KFF’s work has been widely recognized for its nonpartisan, data-driven approach, earning trust across political divides. The organization’s research and polling have been instrumental in shaping health policy debates, providing credible insights during crises and legislative milestones. The incoming leaders have pledged to maintain KFF’s commitment to independent analysis and its focus on the real-world impact of health policies on individuals. The Board’s decision reflects a strategic effort to ensure stability and leverage the deep experience of Levitt and Brodie, who have been central to KFF’s growth. Altman will remain in his role through 2026 to facilitate a smooth transition, underscoring the organization’s emphasis on continuity and mission-driven leadership.
Full Take
The leadership transition at KFF reflects a deliberate effort to maintain institutional continuity while adapting to evolving health policy challenges. The appointment of Larry Levitt and Dr. Mollyann Brodie, both long-tenured executives, signals a commitment to preserving KFF’s reputation for nonpartisan, data-driven analysis. This move aligns with broader trends in nonprofit governance, where succession planning prioritizes internal candidates to ensure stability and mission fidelity. The emphasis on their combined six decades of experience at KFF underscores the Board’s confidence in their ability to navigate an increasingly polarized health policy landscape.
However, the narrative also invites scrutiny of the potential risks of insular leadership transitions. While internal promotions can foster continuity, they may also limit fresh perspectives or innovative approaches. The absence of external candidates in the succession process raises questions about whether KFF might benefit from diverse viewpoints, particularly as health policy debates become more complex and interdisciplinary. Additionally, the framing of KFF as a "trusted and respected voice" assumes a consensus that may not universally hold, especially in an era where trust in institutions is declining. The organization’s future credibility will depend on its ability to maintain rigor and independence amid growing skepticism toward expert-driven narratives.
The broader implication is the tension between institutional stability and adaptive change. KFF’s model—combining policy research, polling, and journalism—has been effective, but its sustainability hinges on whether it can evolve without compromising its core principles. The incoming leadership’s pledge to focus on "how health policies affect real people" is commendable, yet it remains to be seen how they will address systemic challenges, such as the erosion of public trust in health data and the politicization of policy debates.
**Bridge Questions:**
How might KFF’s leadership transition influence its ability to engage with emerging health policy issues, such as AI in healthcare or climate-related health impacts?
What mechanisms could ensure that KFF’s internal culture remains open to external critique and innovation?
If trust in health institutions continues to decline, what strategies could KFF employ to maintain its credibility without being perceived as part of the establishment?
**Counterstrike Scan:** A coordinated influence campaign might exploit KFF’s transition to either undermine its credibility (e.g., by framing it as an insular "establishment" organization) or co-opt its authority (e.g., by citing its research selectively to support partisan agendas). However, the content of this announcement does not align with such a pattern; it is transparent about the succession process and emphasizes continuity rather than disruption. No structural alignment with manipulative tactics is detected.
**Patterns detected:** none
Sentinel — Human
The text reads like professionally written organizational news, successfully blending factual reporting with the institutional tone and narrative focus characteristic of high-level journalistic communication.