The deaths of migrant children at our southern border continue. In the past nine months, six have died — Darlyn Valle, 10, in September; Jakelin Caal Maquin, 7, and Felipe Gomez Alonzo, 8, in December; Juan de Leon Gutierrez, in April; and Carlos Gregorio Hernandez Vasquez, 16, in May. (In addition to those five, an unnamed 2 ½ year-old boy died last month.) To put all of these deaths in context, before September, the last time a migrant child died in federal custody was in 2010; yet in the past nine months of the Trump Administration, half a dozen children have lost their lives.
Archives: Voices
CHN praises House passage of American Dream and Promise Act
Members of the Coalition on Human Needs congratulate the 237 members of the House of Representatives whose votes to enact the American Dream and Promise Act (H.R. 6) took us forward, towards the more just and inclusive nation Americans want and need.
After decades of progress, children’s health coverage is now in jeopardy
More evidence surfaced this week that children continue to be the latest casualties of the Trump Administration. A new report shows that about 828,000 fewer children nationwide were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP at the end of 2018 than in 2017. That statistic is alarming because it could mean that the child uninsured rate – which has been steadily declining since the historic enactment of CHIP in 1997 under President Clinton – has reversed itself and is now on the rise.
Urban Institute: due to fear, one in seven adults in immigrant families forgoed public benefits
A new briefing paper released last week by the Urban Institute shows that one in seven adults in immigrant families did not participate in a noncash benefit program in 2018 out of fear of risking future green card status. The Trump Administration is pushing a proposed rule that would consider an immigrant’s past use of noncash public benefit programs, such as SNAP or Medicaid, as a negative factor in applications for green cards (i.e., permanent residency) or temporary visas. But even before the rule has taken effect, new evidence suggests that it is having a substantial “chilling effect” on people who qualify for public benefit programs.
Block granting Medicaid is still a terrible idea
In its latest effort to reduce access to affordable health care, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is reportedly working on guidance to pave the way for states to apply for waivers to block grant their Medicaid programs. Under a traditional block grant, states would receive a fixed, capped dollar amount of federal funding, whereas now they can draw down federal funds based on the program’s expenditures. Any effort by CMS permitting states to block grant Medicaid is not only legally dubious, but also ill-informed policy that will only act as a cut to Medicaid.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) delays disaster aid
After months of delay, members of the Coalition on Human Needs were relieved and grateful that the Senate overwhelmingly approved disaster relief for 16 states and U.S. territories. Because the Senate acted late, final passage required unanimous consent in the House to get the bill to the President without waiting past the Memorial Day recess week. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) saw fit to withhold consent, and now those afflicted by hurricanes, typhoons and floods to wildfires, tornadoes, hail damage and drought will have to wait yet another week.
Although the state of our country seems dismal at times, passionate people are stepping up to make a difference
Morgan Williams recently completed her spring internship with the Coalition on Human Needs. Morgan, who is studying Economics and Global Poverty at the University of Maryland where she is a junior, shares with us her thoughts and experiences as a CHN intern.
No one is born with more of a right to be healthy and thrive than anyone else
Bridget Rittman-Tune recently completed her spring internship with the Coalition on Human Needs. Bridget, who is studying Women’s Studies and Geographic Information Systems at the University of Maryland where she graduates this May, shares with us her thoughts and experiences as a CHN intern.
The latest Human Needs Report: FY20 spending, disaster aid on the horizon, victory for LGBTQ people, and more
CHN just released another edition of the Human Needs Report. Read on for the latest on Congress’s spending work, disaster aid on the horizon, a victory for LGBTQ Americans, attacks on immigrants, the poor, and workers, and more.
CHN calls on Senate to pass disaster relief — before Memorial Day recess
CHN is urging members of the U.S. Senate to take immediate steps to pass a disaster relief bill. CHN is calling on senators to pass a bill before Memorial Day recess that includes nutrition assistance funds for Puerto Rico and other territories in need; Medicaid funds for the U.S. territories of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa; disaster funds for states, territories, and tribes; and humanitarian aid to assist unaccompanied minor children.
Victory! House passes bill to strengthen LGBTQ nondiscrimination laws
In a great step forward for social justice, the U.S. House on Friday approved the Equality Act, which would strengthen federal civil rights laws for LGBTQ Americans. The vote was 236-173, with eight Republicans joining all Democrats in supporting the measure.
Register now: Webinar to focus on Trump’s latest plan to deny assistance to those in need and how to fight back
The Trump Administration has put forth a proposal to change the way poverty is adjusted for inflation. Over time, this adjustment would reduce funding for essential human needs programs by billions of dollars. Millions of Americans would be affected, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and others who are poor or near poor. On Wednesday, May 22, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) and the Coalition on Human Needs will host a webinar entitled, “The Latest Plan to Deny Assistance: Shrinking the Poverty Line.”