More than 250 Organizations Urge the House to Prioritize Children’s Safety in FY26 DHS Appropriations Vote
March 5, 2026
Will Kansas become the 37th state to opt in to Medicaid expansion?
David Elliot,
January 14, 2020
Kansas could become the 37th state in the U.S. to opt for Medicaid expansion, good news for as many as 150,000 residents of the Jayhawk State who would have improved access to medical coverage – and the peace of mind and economic security that comes with it. More states could be on the horizon: Advocates in Oklahoma already have gathered – and had certified – enough signatures to qualify a ballot measure on Medicaid expansion for the November 2020 election; advocates in Missouri are attempting a similar ballot measure -- they have until May to gather and submit signatures.
New study: Raising the minimum wage could lower the suicide rate
David Elliot,
January 10, 2020
We know there are benefits to raising the minimum wage. These include reducing income inequality, making it easier for workers to afford life’s necessities, including rent and food, and stimulating the economy because it follows that when people earn more, they have more to spend. Now we can add one benefit to the list: minimum wage increases might contribute to a lower suicide rate. A new study released this week demonstrates a correlation between an increase in the minimum wage and declining suicide rates among adults who are between 18 and 64 years old.
States seek speedy Supreme Court review of ACA ruling
David Elliot,
January 6, 2020
Twenty Democratic-led states plus the District of Colombia have asked the Supreme Court for expedited review of a lower court decision that puts the future of the Affordable Care Act at risk. What exactly is at stake? A whole lot if opponents of the ACA prevail in their effort to overturn the law: expansion of Medicaid in three dozen states, insurance subsidies for millions of people with coverage through ACA marketplaces, the ability of young adults to stay on their parents’ insurance policies until they turn 26, and consumer protections for people with preexisting medical conditions.
The Way to Greet 2020
Deborah Weinstein,
January 3, 2020
How to greet 2020? We look to suffragist Alice Paul and Rep. John Lewis for inspiration.
NELP report: New year to usher in minimum wage increases; fight for $15 pays dividends
David Elliot,
December 24, 2019
As we prepare to ring in the new year, there is some good news to report. Across the country, a record number of states, cities and counties are raising the minimum wage, evidence that our national conversation and debate over income inequality is having tangible results. The welcome news was delivered in a new report published Monday by the National Employment Law Project (NELP), a CHN member. NELP reported that in January alone, 21 states and 26 cities and counties will raise the minimum wage. And there’s more good news to come: later in 2020, four more states and 23 additional localities also will raise their minimum wages.
