Category: Socio-Ecological Systems

Kathy Hempstead from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation joins the program to discuss the rollback of Medicaid benefits. Health officials are preparing for potential chaos as states begin to reassess Medicaid eligibility, a process that hasn’t occurred in three years. The expiration of a pandemic policy guaranteeing eligibility raises concerns that vulnerable individuals may lose coverage and fall through the cracks.

While the Biden administration allows states a year to complete the redetermination process, some states, like Arkansas, aim to expedite the process within six months. The impending change could result in millions of people losing Medicaid, and experts predict it will have a significant impact on healthcare, particularly in non-expansion states. There are concerns about administrative barriers and the potential loss of coverage for individuals with incomplete paperwork.

While efforts are being made to minimize disruptions and provide smooth transitions, challenges such as mail delivery issues and lack of awareness among recipients persist. The implications of this coverage shift are expected to be significant, and the Biden administration’s estimate suggests that up to 15 million people may be at risk of losing Medicaid.

Dr. Treva B. Lindsey and The Majority Report’s Emma Vigeland discuss how America, Goddam sheds light on the violence endured by Black women and girls in the United States, examining the intersecting forces of anti-Blackness, misogyny, patriarchy, and capitalism that shape their lives. Through personal narratives, insightful analysis, and a blend of history, theory, and memoir, author Treva B. Lindsey exposes the often overlooked gender dynamics of anti-Black violence and highlights the demands for justice made by Black women and their communities. The book explores the marginalized position of Black women within Black freedom movements, their leadership in advocating for justice, and their historical contributions to organizing and radical politics. America, Goddam is a call to action, urging readers to confront the pervasive violence targeting Black women and girls and strive for a more just future.

A recent wave of book bans and curbs to educational free speech, led in part by Florida governor Ron DeSantis is hurting our children and allowing a vocal radical minority of parents and lawmakers control the narrative.