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Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity leads research and consulting initiatives that identify and address barriers to economic well-being.
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Georgia Touts Its Medicaid Experiment as a Success. The Numbers Tell a Different Story.
"In January, standing before a cluster of television cameras on th“In January, standing before a cluster of television cameras on the steps of the state Capitol, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp promoted his experiment in Medicaid reform as a showcase for fellow conservatives seeking to overhaul safety net benefits around the country.

How Will The $2.7 Billion Pell Grant Funding Gap Impact Students?
“In January, the Congressional Budget Office released projections showing that the Pell grant program is expecting to face a $2.7 billion shortfall in funding for the 2025 fiscal year. The program will need additional funding and will need an increase in funding, or students will face cuts to eligibility criteria or grant amounts.

Republicans May Find It Harder to Cut Medicaid Than They Think
“Republicans may have just gotten an alarming glimpse of the future.

As States Mull Medicaid Work Requirements, Two With Experience Scale Back
“President Donald Trump’s return to the White House sent a clear signal about Medicaid to Republicans across the country: Requiring enrollees to prove they are working, volunteering, or going to school is back on the table.

Montana House Advances Medicaid Expansion Bill With Bipartisan Support
“HELENA, Mont. — A key Medicaid expansion bill passed the Montana House of Representatives Monday, one step closer to removing the sunset date on a program that has provided insurance coverage to thousands of Montanans.

Trump's Attempt to Freeze Grant Funding Leaves Nonprofits Reeling
“For nonprofits, the freeze is mostly over. The worry is just beginning.

New Bipartisan Bill to Expand Medicaid in Georgia Faces Difficult Path
“Democrats in the state legislature are making another attempt this session to extend health insurance to more Georgians under Medicaid coverage — and this time, four Republicans have already signed on, despite Gov. Brian Kemp making clear he does not back full Medicaid expansion. “We believe that this bipartisan legislation can get passed,” Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones told reporters at a Tuesday press conference.” Read more from WABE.

'Set Up to Fail': A Mississippi Mother on What the U.S. Gets Wrong About Poverty

For Homeless Seniors, Getting Into Stable Housing Takes a Village And a Lot of Luck
“COLUMBIA FALLS, Mont. — Over two years ago, Kim Hilton and his partner walked out of their home for the final time. The house had sold, and the new landlord raised the rent.

Trump Drive to Cut Safety Net Could Hit His Voters
“In his first term as president, Donald J. Trump targeted what many Republicans consider blatant welfare waste — a rule that gives food stamps to millions of people with incomes above the usual limit on eligibility.

Medicaid Work Requirements Could Put 36 Million People at Risk of Losing Health Coverage
“Recent proposals from Republican congressional leaders and conservative think tanks would cut Medicaid by taking coverage away from people who don’t meet unnecessary and burdensome work requirements. We estimate that 36 million Medicaid enrollees — including people in every state — could be at risk of losing their coverage under various proposals.”

Under Trump, Medicaid Faces a 'Reset Moment'
“Last fall, South Dakota voters approved a ballot measure that will allow lawmakers to impose a work requirement for Medicaid recipients. Now some lawmakers want the flexibility to abolish parts of the health insurance program if the feds cut spending for it.

