Greene County Democrat

Tag: Biden-Harris Administration

  • Newswire : Federal cuts strip $350 Million from HBCUs and Minority-Serving Institutions

    Tuskegee University campus

    By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

     

    The U.S. Department of Education has announced the cancellation of $350 million in federal grants that had been designated for historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions.
    Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that the department will “no longer award Minority-Serving Institution grants that discriminate by restricting eligibility to institutions that meet government-mandated racial quotas.” She added that the administration intends to redirect the money toward programs “that advance Administration priorities.” The funding has supported initiatives including laboratory equipment purchases, classroom improvements, student tutoring services, and endowment growth. The cuts immediately drew criticism from leaders of colleges and universities who said the loss would harm students and damage institutions that depend on the resources.
    “Without this funding, students will lose the critical support they need to succeed in the classroom, complete their degrees on time, and achieve social mobility for themselves and their families,” said Mildred García, chancellor of the California State University system. “These funds strengthen entire campuses, creating opportunities and resources that benefit all students, especially those pursuing STEM fields, as well as enhancing the communities where these colleges and universities are located,” said David Mendez, interim CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
    University of Hawaiʻi president Wendy Hensel added that the cuts will affect “all of our students, the programs that support them, and the dedicated staff who carry out this work.” The department’s announcement follows a lawsuit filed in June by the state of Tennessee and Students for Fair Admissions, which argued the programs were discriminatory because of enrollment eligibility requirements. In July, the Department of Justice said it would not defend the grants, with Solicitor General D. John Sauer writing that they violated the constitutional right to equal protection.
    According to HBCU Buzz, the decision has sent shockwaves across campuses, with advocates warning that programs supporting mentorship, STEM pipelines, and scholarships are at risk. Lawmakers, including Senator Patty Murray, have said the Education Department acted unilaterally without consulting Congress.

    The debate over funding arrives as HBCUs continue to face historic underfunding. CNN fact-checkers reported that while the Biden-Harris administration had directed $16 billion to HBCUs from 2021 to 2024, Trump previously proposed more than $100 million in cuts to HBCU programs during his first term, despite later claiming he had been uniquely responsible for funding the schools. The Education Department confirmed that roughly $132 million in mandatory congressional allocations for fiscal 2025 will still be distributed, though officials said they are continuing to review the legal questions surrounding those funds.

  • Newswire: ACA Marketplace enrollment opens with expanded options and subsidies

    President Obama signs the Affordable Care Act

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

     

    The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace opens its 2025 enrollment season, offering millions the opportunity to secure or adjust health insurance plans. This year’s opening enrollment is vital, particularly if Donald Trump is re-elected. The twice-impeached former president and MAGA Republicans have vowed to repeal the healthcare law, which would deprive an estimated 40 million Americans of coverage. Under Trump’s plan, millions of individuals with pre-existing conditions would also lose health insurance.

    In 2024, approximately 4.2 million Floridians enrolled in an ACA health plan, marking a more than 200% increase from 2020, according to White House data. Florida, one of 10 states that hasn’t expanded Medicaid, is seeing around 823,000 residents lose Medicaid coverage.

    More than 418,000 Michigan residents signed up for new health plans through HealthCare.gov—a nearly 30% increase over 2023. In Wisconsin, over 250,000 residents secured ACA coverage, as state officials reported. Meanwhile, 1.26 million Georgia residents enrolled, reflecting a 206% rise from 2020, with about 96% receiving an advanced premium tax credit to help cover premiums.

    Maryland also saw a 33% increase in Black enrollees and a 30% increase in Hispanic enrollees. In Virginia, 389,568 residents enrolled, marking a 67% increase since 2020, with 88% receiving advanced premium tax credits to help cover costs. Meanwhile, 11,910 District of Columbia residents enrolled, although enrollment has decreased by 26% since 2020 — about 22% of D.C. enrollees qualified for advanced premium tax credits.

    With increased enrollment nationwide, this year’s Marketplace offers more options than ever. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), consumers can choose from a broader array of plans, with benchmark silver plans averaging a 4% premium increase and bronze plans up by 5%. However, enhanced subsidies introduced under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) continue to make coverage affordable, capping monthly premiums at a percentage of income. Most enrollees on HealthCare.gov can find plans for under $10 per month, despite unsubsidized premiums reaching $497 for a 40-year-old on a benchmark silver plan. KFF researchers noted that some states, like Vermont, Alaska, and North Dakota, face double-digit premium hikes, while others, like Louisiana, see decreases in low-cost plans.

    Under the Biden-Harris administration, the ACA Marketplace has expanded to include more insurers, with an average of 9.6 participating insurers per state, allowing 97% of Healthcare.gov users to choose from at least three insurers. The range of options includes silver and bronze plans tailored to meet different healthcare needs. Silver plans, which serve as the basis for subsidy calculations, offer a balance of coverage and cost, while bronze plans provide lower premiums but higher deductibles.

    Federal funding has also been allocated to ensure continued support for enrollees. The Biden-Harris administration committed $100 million to the Navigator program, providing more resources to help Americans understand and select the best health plan.

    Enhanced subsidies—initially introduced under the American Rescue Plan Act and extended by the IRA—are set to expire at the end of 2025 unless renewed by Congress. Without renewal, millions would face premium hikes in 2026, with costs doubling in some cases. A young family of four in Pennsylvania earning $125,000 would see an annual increase of $6,448, while a 45-year-old in Wisconsin with a $60,000 income would experience a $1,354 hike.

    DACA recipients are eligible for ACA coverage for the first time, with subsidies that help reduce costs. Effective November 1, this new eligibility offers a special enrollment window for an estimated 100,000 DACA recipients despite ongoing litigation. Additionally, states like California and New Mexico are leveraging federal tax credits to reduce deductibles, enhancing affordability for those with lower incomes.

    KFF found that further safeguards and protections accompany this year’s enrollment. Stricter fraud protections require brokers to secure consent before making plan changes and respond to complaints about unauthorized plan modifications. Non-ACA-compliant short-term plans are now limited to four months and must display clear disclaimers noting they lack comprehensive health coverage. Similarly, fixed indemnity plans, which pay a set amount for specific medical events but lack ACA protections, now carry required disclaimers.

    New network adequacy standards for federal Marketplace plans also ensure timely access to care. Wait times are capped in 2025 at ten business days for behavioral health, 15 days for primary care, and 30 days for non-urgent specialty care. Compliance will be monitored through “secret shoppers” surveys to verify access.

    Health officials said the ACA Marketplace’s enrollment success reflects expanded access under the Biden-Harris administration. However, political opposition from Trump and MAGA Republicans threatens these gains.

    To register for health insurance for 2025, visit www.Healthcare.gov.

     

  • Newswire : No property seizures or diverted funds: White House counters misinformation amid Helene recovery efforts

    President Joe Biden meets with a family a surveys the damage of their home after Hurricane Helene, Thursday, October 3, 2024, in the Keaton Beach neighborhood in Perry, Florida.(Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith)

     

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    As the Biden-Harris Administration mobilizes an all-encompassing federal response to Hurricane Helene, it’s also tackling a growing wave of misinformation being spread by political adversaries, including former President Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. The White House has labeled this misinformation as “dangerous,” and it poses a threat to mislead hurricane survivors about their access to essential resources and federal assistance.

    President Biden recently reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to those suffering from Hurricane Helene. “Days before this storm hit, I directed my administration to pre-position federal personnel, critical supplies, and more near the storm’s path,” he said. “We’re moving heaven and Earth to make sure that everyone affected by this storm gets what they need. To all those affected, my administration and the nation have your back—and we will continue to have your back for as long as it takes.”

    Under Biden and Vice President Harris’s direction, over 6,400 federal personnel are on the ground, delivering more than $110 million in federal assistance, with additional aid forthcoming. The large-scale operation, outlined in a White House Fact Sheet, reflects a “whole-of-government” approach, which began with extensive pre-landfall preparations and continues with immediate deployment of resources for recovery and rebuilding.

    However, disinformation is hampering the efforts. Among the falsehoods spreading online is the claim that disaster relief funds are being used to support undocumented immigrants. The administration was quick to debunk this. “No money is being diverted from disaster response needs. None,” clarified a White House official. FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, which finances the agency’s response efforts, is strictly allocated for disaster-related expenses and remains untouched by other initiatives.

    Another widely circulated falsehood alleges that FEMA is confiscating the property of hurricane survivors whose land is deemed unlivable. The administration rebuffed this as categorically false, emphasizing that “FEMA cannot seize your property or land.” They added that applying for disaster assistance does not grant the federal government any claim or control over personal property.

    A further claim—that FEMA will provide only $750 in recovery assistance—was also exposed as misleading. FEMA officials clarified that $750 is an initial Serious Needs Assistance payment to cover essentials like food, water, and emergency supplies. It is one of many available support forms, including significant additional funds to repair storm damage, secure temporary housing, and replace lost agricultural assets.

    In another attempt to stoke fear and confusion, misinformation has circulated claiming that FEMA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are restricting airspace in North Carolina, thereby preventing private relief efforts. White House officials refuted this, noting that North Carolina has no airspace restrictions. Pilots need only to coordinate with local airports in Asheville or Rutherford for landing permissions, ensuring safe access for all parties involved in relief efforts.

    The White House said it’s actively working to counter these lies through official digital channels, emphasizing X, a platform owned by Elon Musk, an avowed Trump and MAGA supporter. The administration has partnered with online publishers and influencers to spread factual information about the federal response. For example, MeidasTouch recently collaborated with FEMA to produce a video debunking the misinformation, which received substantial engagement across social media and traditional media platforms.

    The administration is also leveraging SMS messaging, a resilient communication tool, to reach individuals in affected areas where internet connectivity remains unreliable. The opt-in service delivers essential updates directly to residents, ensuring access to accurate information during the ongoing recovery process.

    “Unfortunately, as our response and recovery efforts continue, we have seen a large increase in false information circulating online,” a senior White House official stated. “Scam artists and bad-faith actors are promoting disinformation about the recovery effort, which is wrong and dangerous and must stop immediately.”

    The Biden-Harris Administration vowed to keep its commitment to providing accurate information to the public and will continue to combat harmful narratives that jeopardize recovery efforts. “We will be there every step of the way,” Biden pledged.

  • USDA issues 43,244 payments in the Discrimination Farmers Assistance Program (DFAP) under Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act

    By: John Zippert, Co-Publisher

    At press time on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced 43,244 farmers would receive payment for past discrimination by USDA farm credit agencies, under the $2.1 Billion allocated in Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act.

    74% of the 58,000 applications submitted were adjudicated to receive funding between $5,000 and $500,000. About half of the applicants, attempted to farm by seeking a USDA loan, but were turned down or discouraged from receiving and filling out a loan application. After they were turned down, they were unable to farm. These applicants will receive between $3,500 and $6,000, as a consolation payment for their discrimination.

    The other half of the applicants, who have or had a farming or ranching operation, are receiving between $10,000 and $500,000 of assistance, with an average of nearly $82,000. The approval letters and checks will be mailed this week and should arrive by August 6, 2024.

    The official Biden-Harris Administration press release on the 22007 process, is posted on the website 22007apply.gov, which provides more information on the evaluation process. After August 6, 2024, the award information will also be on this website.

    On the zoom call on Wednesday, Secretary Vilsack noted that $1.99 Billion of the funds in Section 22007 had been spent to make the awards.
    Awards were made in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and territories. The most applications submitted and approved came from Mississippi and Alabama.
    Other states of the South, including Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas were among the top ten states receiving approvals. The states of Oklahoma and California, rounded out the top ten states for participation in this program.

    Secretary Vilsack noted that these payments for past discrimination, prior to January 1, 2021, would be taxable events for the farmers receiving them. Federal and state income taxes will be owed on the discrimination payments provided.
    The Rural Coalition commended the Biden-Harris Administration for getting these decisions made and checks sent out, ahead of the timetable that they set for late August – early September.

    The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/LAF which was a cooperating organization, doing outreach and application assistance, said it was glad that the decisions had been made but reserved final judgement to see how many of its members were awarded payments and the size of those payments.

  • Newswire: Biden issues proclamation for Black Maternal Health Week

     Black pregnant mother and child


     

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    In 2022, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra implemented actions to improve maternal health and reduce health disparities, and this year, the Biden-Harris Administration has continued to champion policies to improve maternal health and equity.
Vice President Kamala Harris convened a meeting with Becerra and other Cabinet leaders amplifying a whole-of-government approach to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity.
On Monday, April 10, President Biden issued another proclamation to begin Black Maternal Health Week.
The president called the week a reminder that so many families experience pain, neglect, and loss during what should be a joyous occasion.
Biden called it urgent that all act.
“Black women in America are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women,” the president remarked.
“This is on top of the fact that women in America are dying at a higher rate from pregnancy-related causes than in any other developed nation.”
He insisted that tackling the crisis begins with understanding how institutional racism drives these high maternal mortality rates.
Studies show that Black women are often dismissed or ignored in hospitals and other health care settings, even as they suffer from severe injuries and pregnancy complications and ask for help, the president reminded.
He said systemic inequities are also to blame.
“When mothers do not have access to safe and stable housing before and after childbirth, they are at greater risk of falling ill,” Biden exclaimed.
“When women face barriers traveling to the hospital for prenatal and postpartum checkups, they are less likely to remain healthy. Air pollution, water pollution, and lead pipes can have dangerous consequences for pregnant women and newborns. And when families cannot afford nutritious foods, they face worse health outcomes.”
He claimed his administration has penned the blueprint for addressing the maternal health crisis, an agenda that lays out specific actions the federal government would take to improve maternal health and secured funding from Congress to help implement it.
“Vice President Kamala Harris has been a leader on the issue of maternal mortality for years and led the charge to improve maternal health outcomes, including by issuing a call to action to address disparities in maternal care,” Biden stated.
“She continues to elevate the issue nationally, convening State legislators, medical professionals, and others so all mothers can access the care they need before, during, and after childbirth.”
The president continued:
“Additionally, my American Rescue Plan gave States the option to provide a full year of postpartum coverage to Medicaid beneficiaries — up from just 60 days of coverage.
“As a result, my Administration has approved requests from 30 States and Washington, D.C. to provide women with Medicaid coverage with a full year of postpartum coverage, and we have made this option permanent for every State that extends Medicaid postpartum coverage.
“My Administration has helped facilitate Medicaid expansion in four States since I took office, and I continue to call on the Congress to close the Medicaid coverage gap.
“We are also working to expand and diversify the maternal health workforce, helping health care providers hire and train diverse and culturally competent physicians, certified nurse midwives, doulas, and community health workers to support women during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care.”
The president’s budget includes $471 million to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates, improving access to care in rural communities, expanding implicit bias training for health care providers, and further supporting the perinatal health workforce.
“This week, as we continue our work to make pregnancy and childbirth safe, dignified, and joyful for all, let us remember that health care should be a right and not a privilege,” Biden continued.
“Let us give thanks to the extraordinary maternal health care workforce, which serves its patients and their families every day. And let us join in common cause to end the tragedy of maternal mortality once and for all.”


  • 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-Harris Administration to invest more than $1.6 Billion to support COVID-19 and mitigation in vulnerable communities

    Black woman celebrates her vaccination

    NNPA Newswire Report

    As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing COVID-19 response efforts, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will invest more than $1.6 billion from the American Rescue Plan to support testing and mitigation measures in high-risk congregate settings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and detect and stem potential outbreaks.

    As COVID-19 cases rise among unvaccinated people and where the more transmissible Delta virus variant is surging, this funding will expand activities to detect, diagnose, trace, and monitor infections and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in homeless shelters, treatment and recovery facilities, domestic violence shelters and federal, state and local correctional facilities– some of the hardest hit and highest risk communities across the country.

    “As we continue the vaccination program to get more Americans protected, it is important that we double down on our efforts to increase testing, especially in vulnerable communities,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.

    “Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, we can make sure high-risk environments like correctional facilities and shelters for those experiencing homelessness have greater capacity for testing to prevent potential outbreaks and continue our nation’s progress in moving out of the pandemic.”

    This funding will support expanded COVID-19 testing and mitigation measures for:

    • Mental Health and Substance Use Providers: HHS, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will invest $100 million to expand dedicated testing and mitigation resources for people with mental health and substance use disorders. This funding provides supplemental funding to both the substance abuse prevention and treatment and community mental health services block grant state grantees for rapid onsite COVID-19 testing and for facilitating access to testing services.
    • Funds are available to provide behavioral health services to staff working as contact tracers and other members of the COVID-related workforce, training and technical assistance on implementing rapid onsite COVID-19 testing and facilitating access to behavioral health services, including the development of onsite testing confidentiality policies, personal protective equipment (PPE), supporting mobile health units, particularly in medically underserved areas, and expanding local or tribal programs workforce to implement COVIDresponse services for those connected to the behavioral health system.
    • Shelters for People Experiencing Homelessness, Group Homes and other Congregate Settings: HHS, in partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will invest $80 million to support state and local COVID-19 testing and mitigation measures among people experiencing homelessness, residents of congregate settings including group homes, and encampments.
      State health departments will use this funding to hire workers to coordinate resources, develop strategies and support existing community partners to prevent infectious disease transmission in these settings. State health departments will also use this funding to procure COVID-19 tests and other mitigation supplies such as handwashing stations, hand sanitizer, and masks for people experiencing homelessness and for those living in congregate settings.
    • Federal, State, and Local Prison Populations: HHS, in partnership with the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Federal Bureau of Prisons, will invest $169 million to advance testing and mitigation efforts in federal congregate settings.
    • This will include funding to support routine testing and surveillance for outbreak and non-outbreak situations according to public health recommendations. This funding will also be used to support ongoing vaccination efforts and the necessary hospital costs associated with this pandemic.
    • In partnership with DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs, HHS also announced that CDC is distributing $700 million to 64 state and local jurisdictions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in confinement facilities, including prisons, jails, and juvenile confinement facilities. These funds will allow facilities to implement COVID-19 diagnostic and screening programs for people who are incarcerated, staff, and visitors.
    • Funds also may be used to support other activities, including COVID-19 contact tracing, isolation and quarantine strategies, infection control practices, and education and training on ways to minimize the spread of COVID-19 for facility staff and people who are incarcerated/detained.
    • Local Domestic Violence Shelters and Tribal Shelters Supportive Services for Survivors of Domestic and Dating Violence: HHS, through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), will invest $550 million in the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program to support state and tribal programs for detecting, diagnosing, and mitigating infections for adults, children, and youth experiencing domestic violence and dating violence.
    •  

    This funding will also support cultural competency training and technical assistance for implementing rapid onsite COVID-19 testing and facilitating access to mobile health unit services for adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence and their dependents, including the development of onsite testing confidentiality policies, procurement of PPE, enhancing information technology, data modernization, and to coordinate confidential reporting with local health departments.

    pastedGraphic.png

  • Newswire: Biden-Harris Administration delivers funds to support older Americans’ health

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living has released $1.4 billion in funding from the American Rescue Plan for Older Americans Act programs, including initiatives to support vaccine outreach and coordination, address social isolation, provide family caregiver support, and offer nutrition support. The department also plans to fund justice programs to ensure the safety and protection of older adults. According to a White House fact sheet released on May 3, officials plan to distribute the funds as follows:

    • $750 million for meals for older adults. With this funding for Older Americans Act nutrition programs, states will be able to continue home-delivered meals as well as “drive-through” or “grab-and-go” meals for older adults who typically would participate in meal programs at community centers that have been closed due to the pandemic. It will also allow states to re-open meal program locations safely that might have closed during the pandemic.

    • $460 million for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) through the Older Americans Act. This funding provides help to those who need it for help with household chores and grocery shopping; transportation to essential services (such as grocery stores, banks, or doctors); and case management. The funding can also be used to vaccinate older Americans and address the effects of extended social isolation.

    • $44 million for evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention. This includes programs to address fall prevention, managing a chronic disease, and programs to detect and reduce depression among older Americans.

    • $145 million to help family caregivers support their loved ones. This funding for the National Family Caregiver Support Program will assist family and informal caregivers to provide in-home supports, including counseling, respite care, training and more.

    • $10 million to safeguard the health and welfare of residents in long-term care facilities. These funds will support State Long-term Care Ombudsman programs to advocate on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities across the country. This money will allow ombudsman programs that are advocating for residents to safely go back into facilities after they had to discontinue that support during the pandemic, and continue to promote the health, safety, welfare, and rights of residents.

    • The announcement coincided with a presidential proclamation honoring May 2021 as Older Americans Month. “The proclamation recognizes that older Americans and families have faced substantial challenges during the last year, and their resilience and strength have made our country stronger,” administration officials stated. “Older adults deserve to age with dignity and have equitable access to the long-term care system, regardless of race, sexual orientation or gender identity, disability, or socioeconomic status. “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to expanding access to health care, nutrition services, caregiving, and opportunities to age in place for all older Americans.” “The funding will take significant steps to help older adults get high-quality care in their homes and communities.”