The Kennedy Forum is deeply concerned about online gambling in the U.S. It isn’t just that more people are increasingly placing bets and to a greater degree, emerging technology platforms make gambling easy and constant, particularly through prediction markets. Since the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision that opened the door for states to offer sports betting, … Continued

Two recent lawsuits are reigniting the conversation regarding social media’s responsibility — and culpability — for user safety, as juries delivered multimillion verdicts against Meta. A New Mexico jury found that Meta’s practices systematically misled and endangered children, while a California jury found that social media design features can contribute to individual harm, together marking … Continued

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes recently filed 20 misdemeanor criminal charges against prediction market company Kalshi, accusing it of illegally operating a gambling business and allowing bets on elections in violation of state law.   This marks the first time a state has pursued criminal action against the company, but not the first legal clash between … Continued

For years, mental health parity has operated in a landscape defined by partial visibility. Laws were on the books, but the mechanics of compliance were often opaque. Regulators faced information gaps. Advocates relied on case-by-case complaints. The result was an incomplete picture of where parity was working – and where it was not. That picture … Continued

Today’s events highlighted how the “Progress ecosystem” operates for impact On Feb. 2, Healthsperien was joined by national leaders announcing the launch of Action for Progress, a bipartisan coalition focused on addressing the nation’s mental health and substance use crisis. This marks an exciting extension and real-world integration of Alignment for Progress, first launched by … Continued

The Kennedy Forum closed out 2025 with dynamic breakout sessions at Alignment for Progress, where leaders spoke candidly about this moment in time. At the second Alignment for Progress workshop in December, The Kennedy Forum asked participants to tackle real problems in the mental health and substance use space — and they delivered. People rolled … Continued

An end-of-year letter from our President and CEO, Rebecca O. Bagley: To tell you the truth, 2025 has felt like many years packed into one. The political, social, and technological volatility of this year forced us to work at an accelerated pace, particularly as health care programs underwent significant change and uncertainty. In this climate … Continued

The lawsuit alleged that Anthem improperly denied coverage for residential mental health and substance use disorder treatment The Kennedy Forum is committed to helping people access the coverage and care they need, and a recent parity-related class-action settlement may offer new options for some individuals. If you were denied residential mental health or substance-use treatment … Continued

The Alignment for Progress Series explores the pressing issues on the minds of decision-makers. Last month, leaders from across the country gathered at KPMG in Chicago for The Alignment for Progress Kickoff Workshop, powered by The Kennedy Forum. Dozens of changemakers — from business and health care to government and philanthropy — came together to … Continued

On behalf of Patrick and Amy Kennedy, we are sharing the news of the passing of Patrick’s mother, Joan Bennett Kennedy. — Joan Bennett Kennedy, former wife of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), classical pianist, music teacher, and advocate for mental health and addiction services, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in … Continued