Greene County Democrat

Month: August 2021

  • Board holds Budget Hearing

    Parents concerned about COVID positive cases in schools; anxious for alternative programs

    Parents attend school board meeting to express concerns for children’s safety with rising COVID positive cases in some schools.

    The Greene County Board of Education, at its regular session, Monday August 16, 2021, held the first of two required public Budget Hearings relative to the 2021-2022 fiscal year.  The second public Budget Hearing is scheduled for Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 4:30 in the Board’s Central Office.

      Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones opened his report with a statement that the school system has received information that five students at one of the schools have tested positive for the coronavirus. (Editor’s Note: At press time Wednesday, the school system had 20 students reported COVID positive.)  Those students are currently in isolation and no longer in school.  He noted that his immediate response was to implement contact tracing and send written communications to the parents of students who may have had contact with the students reported to have tested positive.  He cautioned all parents to monitor their children closely and have them tested at any signs of related illness.  He also urged parents to get their children who are of age vaccinated, and to encourage other adults to get vaccinated as well.

        “We are implementing all methods we can to provide a safe environment in our schools, but in this situation, the children testing positive did not get infected in school.  Contact tracing indicated this occurred in the community.  There is a rise in the spread of COVID 19 and its variants all over Alabama, including Greene County.  Vaccinations are still at a low rate, and without a mandatory mask mandate for the public, our community is greatly exposed,” Jones stated.  

        He emphasized that masks are required by everyone in Greene County schools and school properties. “We are also not allowing visitors at the schools.  This is another measure to keep students and personnel safe,”  he said.

        Superintendent Jones remarked that, understandably, parents are concerned about the safety and welfare of their children and are anxious about continuing to send them to in-school classes.  “ We are also monitoring the COVID situation closely, giving attention to the guidance of all health agencies and directives from the Governor’s office, and we will be prepared to make adjustments in school operations as authorized and needed,” he stated. “ Virtual learning is currently available for students who have serious underlying conditions,” Jones added.

        Jones reminded that  officials from the State Department of Health will be at Robert Brown Middle School and Greene County High on Wednesday, August 18 to hold clinics and administer vaccinations,  with parental consent, to students 12 year and older. 

        A number of parents attended the board meeting to express their concerns, during public comments, about the report of students with COVID positive and the risk to their children continuing with the in-school classes. Parents, seemingly, were seeking assurance that school officials would keep their children safe.  They were also anxious to know the specific plans for an alternative academic program (virtual classes).  Many expressed that they were considering keeping their children home, even if they were not COVID positive.  One parent expressed that the news that some students from a particular school had the virus was a traumatic experience for her child.

        Superintendent Jones repeated the process for continuous sanitizing of all school facilities; mandating masks; sanitizing hands, and stated he will be contacting State Department of Education regarding alternative schooling.

        In continuing his report, Superintendent Jones noted that current school enrollment is down. “We have 838 students enrolled to date; so far there is a decrease in the ADM by 46.65%.  We have 152 employees.   All bus drivers are vaccinated and with 19 bus routes and 19 buses, all but seven are equipped with air conditioning, and buses on the longest routes have air conditioning,” he said.  

        Jones stated that buses have to be purchased on a staggered schedule, to comply with state directives and benefit from the limited state resources for the Transportation Department. 

    “If we bought five buses now, these are likely to need replacing at the same time and we would not have sufficient resources to replace all five,” he explained. 

        Jones also noted that there will be greater emphasizes on student reading and Math improvement, with interventionists at each school; this is in addition to the regular classroom teachers.

        The board approved the following personnel items recommended by the superintendent. 

    Rescind: Calvin Finch –  History Teacher, Greene County High School; Tanisha Strode-2nd grade Teacher at Eutaw Primary School.

    Employment: Ralph Marshall – History Teacher, Greene County High School; Brittany Jenkins – Math Intervention, Greene County High School; Randall White – Maintenance, Greene County Board of Education; Glenara Faust – Fifth Grade Teacher, Robert Brown Middle School; LaDaisha Grace – Seventh/Eight Grade Social Studies, Robert Brown Middle School; Tabitha Smith – In-School Suspension Facilitator, Robert Brown Middle School; Nyesha Watson – First Grand Teacher, Eutaw Primary; Destiny Taylor – Long Term Substitute, Eutaw Primary; Shana Lucy – Third Grade Teacher, Eutaw Primary.

    Voluntary Transfer: Pamela Pasteur, from First Grade Teacher to Reading Intervention Teacher, Eutaw Primary School; Corey Cockrell, from PE Teacher at Robert Brown to 9th Grade, Greene County High; Sherita Pickens, from 3rd Grade Teacher to Math Intervention Teacher, Eutaw Primary; Felecia Smith, from 6th Grade Teacher, Robert Brown Middle to Math Intervention Teacher, Robert Brown Middle; Tameshia Porter, English Teacher Greene County High to Reading Intervention Greene County High.

    Supplemental Contracts Robert Brown Middle School:  Henry Miles, Head Football Coach; Quentin Walton, Assistant Football Coach; Ladasia Grace, Girl Basketball Coach; Henry Miles, 8th Grade Boys’ Basketball Coach; Elroy Skinner, 8th Boys’ Assistant Coach; Quentin Walton, 7th grade Boys’ Basketball Coach.

    Supplemental Contracts, Greene County High School: Corey Cockrell, Head Football Coach; Janice Jeames Askew, Volleyball Coach; Halven Carodine, Assistant Boys Basketball Coach, Boys.

         The Board approved the following administrative items. 

    * Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.

    * Bank reconciliations as submitted by Ms. LaVonda Blair, CSFO.

    * Resolution Agreement Special Education.

    * Certificate of Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and Brandon Comer of    Comer Capital Group.

    * Authorize Attorney Hank Sanders to interact on vaping lawsuit and bring back written proposal to the board for consideration.

  • COVID-19

    As of August 17, 2021 at 10:00 AM

    (according to Alabama Political Reporter)

    Alabama had 641,386 confirmed cases of coronavirus,

    (25,485) more than last week with 11,832 deaths (184) more

    than last week)

    Greene County had 1035 confirmed cases, (25 more cases than last week), with 39 deaths

    Sumter Co. had 1,149 cases with 34 deaths

    Hale Co. had 2,473 cases with 79 deaths

    Note: Greene County Physicians Clinic has Johnson and Johnson, one dose vaccination for COVID-19; Call for appointments at 205/372-3388, Ext. 142; ages 18 and up.

  • Newswire: Haiti: 7.2 magnitude earthquake hits; 1,297+ dead

    Earthquake destruction in Haiti

    By Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., NNPA Newswire Culture and Entertainment Editor

    A major 7.2 magnitude earthquake has struck the western side of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. Haiti is still recovering from a 2010 catastrophic earthquake which killed 250,000 and left more than 3 million people impacted by the fallout. Seismologists said the epicenter of the quake was 78 miles west of the capital of Port-au-Prince (Saint-Louis du Sud) and the effects were felt as far away as 200 miles in Jamaica. Multiple news outlets are reporting more than 1200 people are dead and some like the BBC are expecting that number to climb as search and recovery efforts continue. The National Hurricane Center issued a most unwelcomed forecast for earthquake-ravaged Haiti on Monday, Aug. 16. Tropical Storm Grace, which has gained strength over the nearby Dominican Republic and Cuba, has set its sights on Haiti. Weather forecasters warned that large parts of Haiti could see 10 inches of rain, leading to flooding and deadly mudslides because of the earthquake. A little more than one month ago, Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise was assassinated at his home, leaving the country reeling. On July 20, 2021, Ariel Henry was appointed prime minister of Haiti. Henry said there is “extensive damage” and has declared a state of emergency through the end of the month. Elections for the new president will be held next month.

    This story is developing. Follow The Burton Wire on Twitter @TheBurtonWire for updates. 

  • Newswire: Rep. Sewell introduces H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, to restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965

    Terri Sewell

      Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) introduced H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. This critical legislation would restore key protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) which were gutted by the Supreme Court in the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder decision and more recently in the 2021 Brnovich v. DNC decision. The bill aims to protect voters from discrimination by restoring and strengthening the protections of the VRA. The introduction of H.R. 4 comes amid the most coordinated state-level effort to restrict the right to vote in generations and follows a months-long investigation by the House Committee on Administration and House Committee on the Judiciary into the status of voting rights in America. The bill enjoys support from over 190 original co-sponsors including all members of House Democratic leadership. The House is expected to vote on H.R. 4 next week.   “The right to vote is the most sacred and fundamental right we enjoy as American citizens and one that the Foot Soldiers fought, bled, and died for in my hometown of Selma, Alabama,” said Rep. Sewell. “Today, old battles have become new again as we face the most pernicious assault on the right to vote in generations. It’s clear: federal oversight is urgently needed. With the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, we’re standing up and fighting back. By preventing states with a recent history of voter discrimination from restricting the right to vote, this bill restores the full promise of our democracy and advances the legacy of those brave Foot Soldiers like John Lewis who dedicated their lives for the sacred right to vote. I’m proud to be introducing this bill today and look forward to its swift passage. Our democracy is at stake.”   For decades, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) ensured equal access to the ballot box for Black and minority voters by requiring states and localities with a history of voter discrimination—as determined in Section 4—to obtain pre-clearance from the Department of Justice before making changes to their voting laws. However, in its infamous 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority struck down Section 4, arguing that voter discrimination was an issue of the past and that the formula used to determine which states and localities were subject to preclearance was outdated.   On July 1, 2021, in its decision in Brnovich v. DNC, the Supreme Court struck another devastating blow to the VRA, upholding Arizona’s voting laws targeting Latino and other minority voters and making it more difficult for parties to challenge racially discriminatory voting laws under Section 2.    Beginning in April, the House Committee on Administration Subcommittee on Elections held a series of investigatory hearings and collected numerous reports and documents regarding the status of voting rights in America. The hearings culminated in a report which the Committee released on Friday, August 6, detailing modern-day efforts to restrict the right to vote. Meanwhile, the House Committee on the Judiciary also held hearings on the need to protect the right to vote.   Informed by these findings, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore protections of the VRA gutted by the Supreme Court. It would once again prohibit states and localities with a recent history of voter discrimination from restricting the right to vote by including an updated formula for determining which states and localities are subject to federal oversight. It would also amend Section 2 of the VRA to eliminate the heightened standard for challenging voter discrimination that the Supreme Court created in its decision in Brnovich v. DNC.   The introduction of H.R. 4 comes amid the most coordinated state-level effort to restrict the right to vote in generations. Driven by the Big Lie, 18 states have enacted at least 30 new restrictive, anti-voter laws just this year.   A previous version of H.R. 4 passed in the House of Representatives during the 116th Congress by a vote of 228-187, but stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate. Last year, the bill was renamed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to honor the legacy of civil rights icon and former Congressman John Robert Lewis who passed away on July 17, 2020.   “The House today is taking a momentous step to secure the sacred right to vote for generations to come,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “With the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, proudly introduced today by Congresswoman Terri Sewell alongside Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, Democrats are fighting back against an anti-democratic tide, protecting access to the ballot box for every American and carrying on the cause to which our beloved John Lewis devoted his entire life.  When the House returns on August 23rd, Democrats plan to pass H.R. 4 – and we hope it can secure the bipartisan support this vital legislation deserves.”   The House is expected to vote on the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act next week.

  • Newswire: With 17% of Black families reporting a lack of food, Biden Administration gives SNAP biggest increase in history

    By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    Seventeen percent of Black families in America still report not having enough food to eat – surpassing the 10 percent of all U.S. citizens with the same problem. But that dire circumstance could change starting in October when the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program receives its most significant increase in history. The Biden-Harris administration has approved an average 25 percent increase in benefits that should allow families more resources to purchase food. It marks the first time the benefit – commonly known as SNAP – increased since the program began in 1975. “Ensuring low-income families have access to a healthy diet helps prevent disease, supports children in the classroom, reduces health-care costs and more,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. “And the additional money families will spend on groceries helps grow the food economy, creating thousands of new jobs along the way.” A U.S. Department of Agriculture study revealed that 88 percent of SNAP recipients struggled to obtain a healthy diet. Officials said recipients would receive an average of $147, or $36 more per month than they previously received. Vilsack said the department based the updated benefits formula on current food prices, dietary guidance, and nutrients found in food items. “Today is a day of great progress for struggling families across the nation, who will soon see a permanent and substantial increase to their monthly SNAP benefits for the first time ever,” noted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). “Thanks to the Biden Administration strengthening this important lifeline, parents will be able to afford healthy food for their families, and children will not have to go to bed hungry.” More than 42 million Americans receive SNAP – more commonly known as food stamps. The number of recipients rose approximately 15 percent from February 2020, when the pandemic began, to April 2021. Government officials estimate that 80 percent of those who receive SNAP benefits work and have children, those with disabilities, and seniors on fixed incomes. The Biden-Harris administration asserted that the increase is another tool in the fight against poverty, and it provides children with better food selections. “This program was incredibly important for Americans,” Vilsack insisted. “The pandemic sort of shocked people from thinking, ‘I would never be involved in the SNAP program.”

  • Newswire: Biden defends Afghanistan policy amid mounting criticism

    Taliban fighters enter Kabul, Afghanistan

    WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Monday defended his administration’s decision to continue with the U.S. military drawdown in Afghanistan, blaming the U.S.-backed Afghan government and military for allowing the Taliban to take over. “Afghanistan political leaders gave up and fled the country; the Afghan military collapsed, sometimes without trying to fight,” Biden said. “If anything, the developments of the past week reinforce that ending U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan now was the right decision.” Speaking to the American public from the White House, Biden said he stood firmly by his decision and argued that he was faced with a choice to either follow through with the drawdown or escalate the conflict into its third decade and ultimately sacrifice more American lives. “I stand squarely behind my decision,” Biden said. “After 20 years, I’ve learned the hard way that there was never a good time to withdraw U.S. forces. That’s why we’re still there.” The Taliban seized control of Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, on Sunday following President Ashraf Ghani’s departure from the country, bringing an abrupt end to the 20-year U.S. effort to restructure the Afghan government and its military. Within hours of the Taliban takeover, chaos erupted at Kabul’s international airport as desperate Afghans raced to flee the country. A harrowing video captured Monday showed Afghans storming the military side of the airport and clinging to a U.S. Air Force plane as it attempted to move down the tarmac. In the video, some people appear to fall to their death as the aircraft takes off. The White House appeared to be caught off guard by the Taliban’s rapid advance. Within the past few days, the U.S. was forced to send additional troops to Afghanistan to help with evacuations. The U.S. Embassy, which the State Department had insisted Thursday would remain open, was fully evacuated by Sunday evening. Over the weekend, Biden chose to stay at the president’s retreat at Camp David. “The truth is, this did unfold more quickly than we had anticipated,” Biden said Monday, insisting that his administration was prepared for all scenarios but that the Afghan government and military were unwilling to defend their own country. “American troops cannot and should not be fighting in a war and dying in a war that Afghan forces are not willing to fight for themselves,” he said, arguing that if their military was unable to mount any real resistance to the Taliban now, a few more years of U.S. troops on the ground would not have made any difference. As the Taliban took hold of the country, Democrats on Capitol Hill and former Obama administration officials joined Republicans in publicly criticizing Biden’s handling of the situation. While most agreed with the decision to remove troops, they attacked Biden’s failure to help the thousands of Afghans who assisted U.S. forces over the 20-year war effort exit the country before the Taliban took over, and the scramble to evacuate Americans from the country. Responding to criticism from some that the administration should have started to evacuate Afghans and U.S. personnel sooner, Biden said that some Afghans did not want to leave earlier on in hope that it would not have to come to that. The Afghan government also discouraged the U.S. from organizing a mass exodus out of concern that it would trigger a “crisis of confidence,” Biden said. Biden said that the U.S. was taking over air traffic control in Afghanistan to ensure that civilian and military flights could continue. He committed to continuing to help evacuate Afghan allies and vulnerable Afghans and said the U.S. would engage in regional diplomacy and would speak out about human rights, especially for women and girls. Former President Donald Trump negotiated a deal while in office with the Taliban to withdraw U.S. military personnel by May 1 of this year. After he was inaugurated, Biden said the withdrawal would be completed by the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks. “The events we are seeing now are sadly proof that no amount of military force would have ever delivered a stable, united, secure Afghanistan,” Biden said Monday. “I will not mislead the American people by claiming that just a little more time in Afghanistan will make all the difference.”

  • Montgomery Circuit Judge dismisses gaming lawsuit against Senator Bobby Singleton, Greenetrack Inc and Nat Winn

    Montgomery Circuit Judge Jimmy B. Pool dismissed a lawsuit filed earlier this year by Greene County bingo charities against Senator Bobby Singleton, Greenetrack Inc. and Luther “Nat” Winn, as owner and manager of Greenetrack. The bingo charities, Age with Dignity Inc., which is associated with the T.S. Police Support League charity working with the Palace Bingo and OIC Dream Greene County, which is a charity affiliated with Frontier Bingo filed the lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed by Attorney Thomas T. Gallion of Montgomery. In their lawsuit they allege, “that Defendants Greenetrack Inc. and Nat Winn provided money to and conspired with co-defendant Senator Bobby Singleton to pass legislation that would allegedly create a gaming monopoly and put the Plaintiffs out of business. Plaintiffs allege that they have been denied various opportunities to benefit from gaming …and that even though the legislation was defeated in the last legislative session, Defendants will continue to support similar legislation in the future.” This lawsuit was filed in response to legislative efforts to create a statewide lottery in Alabama and designate five casinos statewide to permit slot machines, table gaming and sports gaming. Greenetrack, was the sole gaming establishment in Greene County recognized in this legislation. Other bingo facilities in Greene County, currently licensed and authorized under Greene County Amendment 743, were not mentioned in the proposed legislation and probably would have been closed down, if this legislation and a subsequent statewide referendum had passed. In dismissing the lawsuit against Senator Bobby Singleton, Greenetrack and Winn, the judge says, “Plaintiffs lack standing and failed to plead any injury … or alleged conspiracy to pass legislation because the legislation failed to pass, and the likelihood that similar legislation will pass in the future is too speculative to confer standing for the Plaintiffs.” The Judge in his ruling further points out that the Legislature as a whole and not just Senator Singleton is responsible for passing legislation. The Judge also denied other claims by the Plaintiffs in their case. Senator Bobby Singleton was separately represented by Brad A. Chynoweth, a State Assistant Attorney General, because the lawsuit was filed against him in his official capacity as a State Legislator conducting state business. Legislators are protected by state law from lawsuits for official actions taken in their role as legislators. Judge Pool dismissed the case against Senator Singleton for additional reasons related to his immunity from prosecution for actions taken in his role as a Senator. He also stated that the Defendants lacked standing because they could show no injury from a bill that Singleton did not sponsor and that did not pass the Legislature in the past session. Luther Winn in a statement to the Democrat said, “It is a shame that Greenetrack, which is the only gaming facility in the county owned by Greene County residents, has to spend money for lawyers to defend and expand gaming in the county. Other bingo owners take their gaming profits out of Greene County to benefit other people and places. Over the years, Greenetrack has proven to pay higher wages and support more charities and people in Greene County.” Sheila Smith and Billy McFarland with the Age with Dignity Charity, when contacted by the Democrat, said “We are planning to file a motion for reconsideration of the judge’s decision in this case and an appeal if necessary.” In a separate but related matter, the Democrat received an announcement from the Greene County Legislative Delegation consisting of Senator Bobby Singleton, Representative Ralph Howard and Representative Artis (A.J.) McCampbell that they are holding a Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at the Eutaw Activity Center to seek input from the people of Greene County on their future legislative work and direction. This is an opportunity for Greene County people to express their concerns about the future of gaming in our county.

  • Black Belt School Superintendents hold press conference to strongly encourage parents to vaccinate children, 12 and over; will have COVID-19 mitigation measures in place in schools

    Participants in Press Conference, L to R. Superintendent Luke Hallmark, Marengo County; Superintendent Corey Jones, Greene County; Tanya Chestnut, State School Board; Superintendent Avis Williams, Selma City Schools; Superintendent Anthony Gardner, Sumter County, Terry Roller, State Department of Education; Superintendent Michael Ryan, Hale County and Superintendent Tim Thurman, Linden City Schools.

    By: John Zippert, Co-Publisher

    In an impressive display of unity, Superintendents of Schools from Greene, Sumter, Hale, Marengo, Linden-City and Selma City school systems, held a joint press conference on August 4th, to “strongly encourage” parents to vaccinate their children, 12 and older, for the COVID- 19 virus. The press conference was held at the Greene County Board of Education. Dr. Corey Jones, Greene County Superintendent read a joint statement and took questions from the TV and newspaper outlets present.The joint statement said in part,” We have gathered to speak with one voice encouraging our respective communities, across the Black Belt Region, to take the time to help ensure that we can open schools safely by strongly recommending that they receive the COVID-19 vaccination and ensuring that their children 12 years and older receive the vaccination. “We are ensuring that all COVID-19 mitigating measures are in place, including masking, in each of the districts represented today. We will do everything in our powers to protect our children and personnel. “Parents we need you to join us in this effort to protect your child/children by vaccinating your children, 12 and older, and encouraging all adults in your household to be vaccinated. “Parents if you have not received the COVID-19 vaccination or vaccinated your children, now is the time to act. We thank you for entrusting us with educating your children and we look forward to a safe and successful school year.” Demeta Brown, with the West Central District of the Alabama Department of Public Health, also spoke at the press conference and said she was scheduling vaccination and testing clinics in each of the school systems to facilitate school staff and children getting the lifesaving vaccination for the virus. Several of the Superintendents said they had already sponsored health fairs and other events to get students over 12 vaccinated, especially sports teams, vaccinated. All of the Superintendents said they would schedule clinics at the schools for vaccinations but that they needed parents to be aware that they will have to sign consent forms for their children to be vaccinated. Tonya Chestnut, State School Board member that represents many of the Black Belt counties said, “We must keep our students and school personnel safe and secure. Many of our people already have high risk health issues and this coronavirus is a big threat to the health of the entire Black Belt community. I support the efforts to vaccinate everyone who is eligible and willing to take the shots.” Terry Roller with the Alabama State Department of Education echoed the comments of others in supporting the joint statement of the School Superintendents supporting vaccination. He said, “Mask-up, Vax-up and Stay at a safe distance from others.” Dr. Corey Jones and others noted the increasing transmission of the delta variant of the virus in Alabama and the Black Belt. The delta variant has caused a steady rise in virus cases and hospitalizations across the state, especially and primarily among unvaccinated people, during the past thirty days since the July 4th holiday. This increasing problem with the delta variant comes in conjunction with the re-opening of schools for in-class education. “We are doing everything we can to clean and sanitize the schools. We will keep students at a safe distance from each other with masks, but it is up to the parents and community to protect us by getting vaccinated and allowing all children, over 12 years old, to also be vaccinated,” stated Jones in closing the press conference.

  • New study shows medical debt cut nearly in half in states that expanded Medicaid Alabama, other non-expansion states saw much smaller declines in debt over same period

    MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Medicaid expansion reduces medical debt, a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has found. According to the report, “the mean medical debt decreased by 44% between 2013 and 2020 in states that immediately expanded Medicaid,” improving their populations’ overall financial health. But Alabama and other states that failed to expand Medicaid have seen only a 10% decline in medical debt during the same period. “Alabama’s failure to expand Medicaid has forced Alabama families to file bankruptcy and take on additional debt,” said Jane Adams, campaign director of Alabama Arise and director of the Cover Alabama Coalition. “The tangible benefits of Medicaid expansion go far beyond providing people with health insurance. This study shows that Medicaid expansion leads to less individual debt and a more thriving state and local economy.” Medicaid expansion would provide health insurance to adults with low incomes who make too much to qualify for Alabama Medicaid but not enough to afford a private plan. More than 220,000 Alabamians are in this coverage gap. An additional 120,000 are struggling to pay for coverage they cannot afford. The JAMA study, published July 20, also found that Medicaid expansion “significantly reduced the number of unpaid non-medical bills and the amount of non-medical debt sent to third-party collection agencies.” Scholars from various universities and the National Bureau of Economic Research used national credit report data from 2010 to 2020. According to the study, “between 2013 and 2020, the states that expanded Medicaid in 2014 experienced a decline in the mean flow of medical debt that was 34% greater than the states that did not expand Medicaid.” Most Southern states have failed to expand Medicaid, and their residents have faced worse financial outcomes, specifically when it comes to medical debt in collections. The South accounts for nearly 24% of all medical debt in collections across the country. Medical debt is a key driver of poverty. A 2019 study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that 66.5% of all bankruptcies in the United States were tied to medical issues, either because of the high cost of care or time off work. In 2019, medical expenses alone moved 7.7 million Americans into poverty, according to the Census Bureau’s Supplemental Poverty Measure. A majority of Alabamians support expanding Medicaid, including 54% of Republicans. But Alabama’s elected leaders are still leaving many Alabamians uninsured by refusing to expand health coverage. Medicaid expansion would benefit working families by ensuring coverage for adults between ages 19 and 64 whose incomes are at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. In 2021, that amounted to $17,774 for an individual and $36,570 for a household of four. “The best way for Governor Ivey to help families facing debt is to expand Medicaid coverage, as 38 other states have done,” Adams said. “It’s time to open a pathway for all Alabama families to get affordable and consistent health care.”

  • Notice to All Residents

    Notice to all Residents

    On August 12, 2021 at 10:00 AM the

    T S Police League will host coffee with the cops in the gymnasium at the Branch Hgts Community Center.

    All residents are encouraged to attend to hear future plans and to ask questions.

    Everyone is  welcome!!!!!

    Mask must be worn at all times and social distancing will be required. 

    For more information call (205-372-3342)