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January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Cuts to ACA, Medicaid, CHIP could affect millions of Texans

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Friday, December 13, 2024   

More than 3 million Texans could be affected if changes are made to the Affordable Care Act.

During the 2024 campaign, President-elect Donald Trump said he would replace the plan providing health insurance options for Americans. Cuts could also be coming for Medicaid, CHIP and SNAP programs.

Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, said any reductions will impact the state's overall budget.

"Medicaid accounts for about 56% of all federal money that is flowing to states," Alker pointed out. "If we do see big cuts to Medicaid, that will affect all areas of states' budget not just their health budget."

Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal government and individual states administering its programs. Texas is one of 10 states to have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, leaving many low-income adults without coverage. Trump said in a recent interview he would not make cuts to entitlement programs such as Medicaid and Medicare as part of his cost-cutting plans.

Congress is expected to act swiftly on its legislative agenda in the coming year, with key actions likely taking place in January.

Mayra Alvarez, president of the Children's Partnership in California, said cuts to SNAP benefits will have a trickle-down effect on families.

"Without adequate access to food, stress or health outcomes and increased debt are likely to occur," Alvarez emphasized. "Especially considering how it's 78% of us in our communities are living paycheck to paycheck."

Medicaid advocates warned proposed reductions in federal funding could disproportionately affect low-income individuals, seniors and children, leading to higher uninsured rates and added strain on the state's health care infrastructure.


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Opponents of a South Dakota bill that would require the Ten Commandments be posted in all public school classrooms say it would be an unfunded mandate. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

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A South Dakota House committee takes up a controversial bill today that would require all school districts in the state to display the Ten Commandment…


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Virginia ranks third behind only Maryland and Delaware among the worst states for the average amount of back wages companies owe to their workers…

Environment

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Some North Dakota school districts are part of a movement that has embraced electric school buses, but the federal funding shakeup carried out by the …


Florida immigrant advocacy groups are intensifying efforts to help undocumented individuals navigate encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. (David Peinado/Pexels)

Social Issues

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Immigrant advocates in Florida are ramping up efforts to help families navigate President Donald Trump's new immigration orders, which have increased …

Social Issues

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The rate of U.S. high school seniors seeking higher education is on the upswing, according to research from Lumina Foundation. Although Hoosier …

Gov. Kathy Hochul's free community college proposal would apply to people pursuing first-time associate degrees for jobs in high-demand fields, including nursing, teaching, technology and engineering. (Adobe Stock)

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New York State is making historic higher education investments. As part of the 2026 budget proposal, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes free community …

Social Issues

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Alabama nonprofits are coming together to tackle challenges that may threaten their survival, from declining donor support to shifting federal …

Health and Wellness

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Consumer advocates in Maine said the availability of enhanced subsidies have helped record numbers of people get the health care coverage they need…

 

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