Politics
Spotlight is a nonpartisan website and does not endorse particular candidates or policies. That being said, understanding the political landscape and systems is essential in evaluating and addressing poverty in America. Further, Spotlight works to lift up poverty issues that may be overlooked in political campaigns and where candidates stand on these topics.This section of the Spotlight website gathers the latest research, news, and opinion around politics, poverty, and opportunity.
Related News
New Medicaid Work Rules Have States Facing Staffing Shortages
Congressional Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law last summer, will soon demand more from staff at state agencies in places where lawmakers expanded Medicaid to more low-income adults — nearly all states and the District of Columbia.

To Boost Military Budget, Trump Targets Safety Net Programs at Home
Amid the war with Iran, the president has proposed to scale back some of the very programs meant to ease families’ financial burdens.

Medicaid Cuts Threaten Hundreds of Hospitals, New Report Finds
Together, the hospitals provide care for nearly 7 million patients across the U.S., according to the analysis.

Trump's Hunt For Undocumented Medicaid Enrollees Yields Few Violators
Last August, the Trump administration sent states the names of hundreds of thousands of Medicaid enrollees with orders to determine whether they were ineligible based on immigration status. But seven months later, findings from five states shared with KFF Health News show that the reviews have uncovered little evidence of a widespread problem.

States Pay Consultants Millions to Help Comply With New Medicaid Laws
States are paying contractors such as Deloitte, Accenture, and Optum millions of dollars to help them comply with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — a law that will strip safety-net health and food benefits from millions.

Millions Could Lose Medicaid Coverage Due to New Rules
Between 4.9 and 10.1 million people could lose Medicaid coverage in 2028 as the result of new work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks.

SNAP Cuts Could Lead to 70,000 Preventable Deaths
New state estimates reveal expanded work requirements could result in tens of thousands of avoidable deaths across the country by 2040.

Minnesota's New Paid Leave Program is Godsend to Some, Frustrating to Others
While The Paid Leave Act has worked well for some who have taken advantage of it, others complain that they’ve been held up by complications, delays and red tape.

Oz Escalates Medicaid Fraud Claims Against States After Focus on Minnesota
The Trump administration has signaled a willingness to halt billions of dollars in federal health payments to multiple states, mirroring moves they made against Minnesota.

