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Steep drop in number of people with Affordable Care Act health coverage, analysis finds
Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, May 19
As many as 5 million people who buy health insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces may drop their coverage this year, according to a new analysis. About 1 million fewer people signed up for a plan this year compared with last year, and experts warn that number will likely climb as people find they cannot afford to keep their plans. A major factor is the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits for the plans. Experts say that while people could have bought health coverage elsewhere, most probably became uninsured.
Families caring for disabled relatives face unthinkable choices as Medicaid cuts loom
Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, May 15
Melissa Gonce of Maryland no longer has to worry if her disabled son Jason is being cared for properly, because she is able to be his full-time caretaker thanks to a Medicaid-funded program that allows her to be paid to look after him. But with Medicaid funding set to be slashed by $1 trillion over the next decade, families like hers fear financial hardship and impossible choices over whether they can keep their loved ones at home. Advocates warn that cuts to Medicaid could destabilize services that keep millions of elderly and disabled Americans alive and overwhelm a system that’s already strained, with too few workers and long waiting lists for services.
Hunger by policy: SNAP cuts hit hardest in Black America
Jennifer Porter Gore, Word in Black, May 13
The federal budget law signed in 2025 slashed $187 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, over the next decade. New regulations expand work requirements, restrictions on what people can buy, and strip benefits from legal immigrants. As a result, more than 4 million people have already lost SNAP since the changes took effect. Hunger prevention advocates say Black Americans, who make up roughly 26 percent of SNAP participants, have been disproportionately affected. Advocates warn that emergency charities, food banks, and pantries, cannot fill the gap left by the cuts made to SNAP.
The word ‘Black’ has disappeared from a set of bills aimed at addressing Black maternal health
Barbara Rodriguez, The 19th, May 18
The word “Black” has been almost completely removed from a package of federal bills addressing the Black maternal health crisis, frustrating advocates who say Black women are being erased from the policy. Previously called the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, the legislation is now referred to as the Momnibus Act. The bill’s lead sponsor says the change is meant to reflect the shortened way people refer to the legislation, and emphasizes the bill continues to help Black women. But advocates argue that amid attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, it is more important than ever to center the needs of Black women in policy solutions.
CT Department of Correction plans to address health care delays
Katy Golvala, The Connecticut Mirror, May 19
The Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) announced reforms focused on improving the quality of health care for people who are incarcerated. This comes after a report by the state Correction Ombuds found “systemic deficiencies” in access to medical and mental health care, including delays in receiving care, particularly for outpatient specialty services. Plans include a multi-agency task force to address the backlog for specialty appointments and temporary specialty clinics to address some of the most acute shortages.