CHN Urges the Senate to Separate DHS Appropriations Bill from Larger Package, Reject DHS Funding
January 26, 2026
After decades of progress, children’s health coverage is now in jeopardy
David Elliot,
May 31, 2019
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
David Elliot,
May 29, 2019
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
Suzanne Wikle,
May 28, 2019
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
Deborah Weinstein,
May 24, 2019
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,
May 22, 2019
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.
