Drew Altman, the founding president and chief executive of KFF, announced his retirement at the end of this year, marking the conclusion of a 33-year tenure leading the organization. Altman, 75, has guided the nonprofit health policy research organization, formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation, since 1990, overseeing its transformation into one of the United States’ most influential sources of information on health care issues.

Under Altman’s leadership, KFF has played a pivotal role in providing data and analysis on major health policy debates, including the Affordable Care Act, vaccine distribution, and gender-affirming care. The organization is noted for its nonpartisan approach, deliberately avoiding advocacy or taking positions on health policies. “We believe that our impact as an organization comes from the role we have decided to play as an honest purveyor of the best analysis and facts we can possibly produce,” Altman said.

KFF operates with an annual budget of approximately $76 million, funded primarily through its endowment, along with support from foundations and individual donors, including MacKenzie Scott. The organization, headquartered in San Francisco, employs about 250 staff members, including a 120-person newsroom that produces health policy news and public opinion polling. All of KFF’s research and reporting is made freely available to the public via its website.

Board Chair and former Senator Olympia Snowe praised Altman’s contribution, calling him the driving force behind KFF’s reputation as a trusted voice in health policy. She also announced the appointment of two senior executives to lead the organization following Altman’s departure. Larry Levitt, 63, will assume the role of chief executive, while Mollyann Brodie, 59, will serve as president. Both have been with KFF for nearly three decades and emphasized their commitment to maintaining the organization’s mission and independence.

Originally established as a small family foundation by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser, KFF was expanded and converted into a public charity under Altman’s direction. In 2009, he launched KFF Health News to further broaden the organization’s reach. In 2023, the foundation shortened its name to simply KFF to reduce confusion with the Kaiser Permanente health system.

As the United States continues to grapple with polarized health care debates, KFF’s fact-driven approach remains a significant resource for policymakers, journalists, and the public. Levitt highlighted this role by noting, “We’re in the fact-based information business when much of the world is not,” underscoring the organization’s commitment to impartiality amid an often divided landscape.