Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Justice in Aging @justiceinaging.org · 14d

New Census data reveals rising poverty among older adults—over 9 million seniors (15%) live in poverty, with rates higher in communities of color. These aren’t just stats; they’re our parents, grandparents, neighbors, and keepers of our culture, all deserving to age with dignity.

Seniors are the only age group with growing poverty. It could get worse

Seniors are the only age group that saw a rise in poverty in 2024, Census Bureau data show. Without government help, it could get worse, experts say.

www.usatoday.com

8 9

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Justice in Aging @justiceinaging.org · 24d

When a Medicaid enrollee who received long-term care dies, states attempt to collect the costs of care from the enrollee's remaining property or savings.

Here's how advocates can explain why this policy is harmful:

Communicating the Harm of Medicaid Estate Recovery - Justice in Aging

This messaging guide provides recommendations to help advocates explain the harms of Medicaid estate recovery to policymakers and the public.

justiceinaging.org

3 4

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Ali Bers @alicebers.bsky.social · 22d

We filed a FOIA request along with @justiceinaging.org, @nilc.org, and @rcusa.bsky.social seeking transparency as the “Big Beautiful Bill” strips thousands of lawfully present immigrants of Medicare, regardless of how long they worked and paid Medicare taxes.

Coalition Seeks Transparency as 100,000 Lawfully Present Immigrants Face Loss of Medicare Coverage - Center for Medicare Advocacy

Washington, DC – A coalition of national advocacy organizations has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ...

medicareadvocacy.org

2 4

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Justice in Aging @justiceinaging.org · 27d

Join us on Tuesday, 9/16, for a deep dive into recent federal and state policy changes that will impact older Californians' access to Medi-Cal, Medicare, and other vital health care programs.

Register: to.justiceinaging.org/K9rgqgC

Webinar | H.R.1 and State Budget Impacts: Updates for Aging and Disability Advocates

This webinar will cover federal and state policy changes related to Medi-Cal, Medicare, and other health care programs serving older adults in California.

to.justiceinaging.org

1 3

Natalie Kean @nataliekean.bsky.social · 28d

🙏

ALXnow @alxnow.bsky.social · 28d

Virginia health officials clear path for updated COVID vaccines

www.alxnow.com/2025/09/11/v...

Virginia health officials clear path for updated COVID vaccines | ALXnow

Virginia is moving to ensure residents have quick access to the latest COVID-19 vaccines ahead of the fall respiratory illness season, with State Health Commissioner Dr. Karen Shelton signing a statewide...

www.alxnow.com

Reposted by Natalie Kean

ALXnow @alxnow.bsky.social · Aug 14

Mayor Gaskins calls for federal, state audits to assess impact of new federal mandates

www.alxnow.com/2025/08/14/m...

Mayor Gaskins calls for federal, state audits to assess impact of new federal mandates | ALXnow

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins is urging state and federal leaders to conduct expedited audits of Virginia's readiness to implement new federal requirements affecting Medicaid and food assistance programs....

www.alxnow.com

1 2

Natalie Kean @nataliekean.bsky.social · Aug 14

Check out our new HR 1 explainer and implementation timeline on the law’s changes to Medicaid, Medicare, and the ACA impacting older adults justiceinaging.org/budget-recon...

Screenshot of HR 1 implementation timeline

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Amber Christ @amberchrist.bsky.social · Jul 28

Join @nataliekean.bsky.social & Gelila Selassie on August 13th to discuss the impact of Medicaid cuts on older adults as a result of the passage of the budget reconciliation bill. Register here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Medicaid Cuts in H.R.1 - Updates for Aging Advocates. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

In early July, President Trump signed H.R.1 also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” after narrowly passing both the House and the Senate. The bill cuts over a trillion dollars from Medicaid, Me...

us06web.zoom.us

3 2

Reposted by Natalie Kean

SLU Law Center for Health Law Studies @sluhealthlaw.bsky.social · Jul 22

Wed 8/13 @ Noon, @slulaw.bsky.social alum Natalie Kean @nataliekean.bsky.social, Director of Federal Health Advocacy at @justiceinaging.org, joins the webinar Medicaid Cuts in H.R.1 – Updates for Aging Advocates to break down changes to Medicaid & Medicare. Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Medicaid Cuts in H.R.1 - Updates for Aging Advocates. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

In early July, President Trump signed H.R.1 also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” after narrowly passing both the House and the Senate. The bill cuts over a trillion dollars from Medicaid, Me...

us06web.zoom.us

1 4

Natalie Kean @nataliekean.bsky.social · Jul 21

The #ADA was won by people with disabilities who demanded justice and refused to be ignored. #ADA35
@sanders.senate.gov

Senator Bernie Sanders speaking to disability advocates on a stage outdoors on a sunny day.

4

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Ben D’Avanzo @bendavanzo.bsky.social · Jul 8

Want the know the numerous ways that OBBBA terrorizes immigrants?
-Taking away health care and food aid
-Unaffordable fees
-Unprecedented funding for ICE and detention camps
-Raising taxes

We have it all in our new explainer

The Anti-Immigrant Policies in Trump’s Final “Big Beautiful Bill,” Explained

Learn how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act slashes access to health care, nutrition, and tax credits, expands immigration enforcement, and harms low-income and immigrant communities—putting the U.S. eco...

www.nilc.org

2

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Senator Mark Warner @markwarner.bsky.social · Jul 3

Reminder: This GOP tax bill is selling out the American people to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.

26 49 190

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Dom Kelly @thetattooedjew.com · Jul 4

It doesn’t have to be like this. We don’t have to die at the hands of corrupt politicians, billionaires, and wealthy corporations. We can build a different world. While we do that, we have to care for each other and help each other survive this. We’ve done it before. @newdisabledsouth.org

8 23

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Justice in Aging @justiceinaging.org · Jul 3

"Cutting Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP is morally indefensible under any circumstance, but this budget bill is particularly cruel," said @kevinprindiville.bsky.social.

It endangers not only the lives of today’s older adults but future generations as well.

Read Justice in Aging's full statement:

Justice in Aging's Statement on Final Passage of Budget Bill - Justice in Aging

The bill sets a dangerous precedent that Congress will use Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP as a piggy bank for billionaires.

justiceinaging.org

8 8

Natalie Kean @nataliekean.bsky.social · Jul 2

Let’s stop this bill before it:
Takes healthcare from 17 million low-income people
Cuts #Medicaid that enables older adults & disabled people to live in their own homes
Shutters nursing facilities
Penalizes people who lose their jobs by taking away their healthcare
Call now! AAPD.com/Medicaid

AAPD Medicaid Defense Hub - AAPD

AAPD.com

1

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Annette Yancey Allgood @ayallgood.bsky.social · Jul 2

Please.
RIGHT. NOW.

Natalie Kean @nataliekean.bsky.social · Jul 2

Call your representative and tell them to vote no.
202-224-3121
Tell everyone you know to do the same.

Justice in Aging @justiceinaging.org · Jul 1

The Senate just passed a dangerous and deeply unpopular budget bill that cuts health care and food assistance to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.

@kevinprindiville.bsky.social characterized the bill as "a staggering betrayal of our nation's older adults."

Read our full statement:

2 2

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Senior and Disability Action @sdaction.org · Jul 1

The horrible budget bill is now making its way to the House for final approval, and will likely be on the President's desk by the end of the week. Now is our last chance to speak out against this bill! Call your representatives at 202-224-3121!

Justice in Aging @justiceinaging.org · Jul 1

The Senate just passed a dangerous and deeply unpopular budget bill that cuts health care and food assistance to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.

@kevinprindiville.bsky.social characterized the bill as "a staggering betrayal of our nation's older adults."

Read our full statement:

Justice in Aging Condemns Senate Vote to Gut Medicaid and SNAP - Justice in Aging

Justice in Aging condemns the Senate's passage of the budget reconciliation bill, which would cut health care and nutrition assistance that older adults,

justiceinaging.org

4 3

Natalie Kean @nataliekean.bsky.social · Jul 2

Call your representative and tell them to vote no.
202-224-3121
Tell everyone you know to do the same.

Justice in Aging @justiceinaging.org · Jul 1

The Senate just passed a dangerous and deeply unpopular budget bill that cuts health care and food assistance to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.

@kevinprindiville.bsky.social characterized the bill as "a staggering betrayal of our nation's older adults."

Read our full statement:

Justice in Aging Condemns Senate Vote to Gut Medicaid and SNAP - Justice in Aging

Justice in Aging condemns the Senate's passage of the budget reconciliation bill, which would cut health care and nutrition assistance that older adults,

justiceinaging.org

2 2

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Elena Hung (she/her) @elenahung.bsky.social · Jul 1

Two years ago today, Xiomara received a kidney from a generous donor and underwent a successful life-saving transplant surgery.

She has survived and thrived because of Medicaid.

Today, every U.S. senator has the power to #VoteNo to #ProtectMedicaid for medically complex disabled kids like mine.

photo of my 10yo daughter Xiomara at dinner tonight with a plate of fried ice cream, holding her braided pigtails (one in each hand), smiling a big smile, and looking cute AF

25 71

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities @centeronbudget.bsky.social · Jun 30

The latest episode @lastweektonight.com dives into the Senate reconciliation bill’s impact on health care and food assistance, including work requirements and red tape featuring CBPP analysis: youtu.be/vjFL-cBcjKc?...

Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

YouTube video by LastWeekTonight

youtu.be

9 11

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Senator Tammy Baldwin @baldwin.senate.gov · Jun 30

I'm on the Capitol steps with ‪Senator Klobuchar‬ and families who are speaking out against the bill that Republicans are trying to jam through that would take away health care from 17 million Americans.

We are not giving up in this fight.

22 130 630

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Jason Resendez @jason4care.bsky.social · Jun 28

Nearly 1/2 of states are on the brink of a caregiving crisis yet policymakers from those very states are about to vote to gut #Medicaid to give massive tax breaks to the ultra rich... who are these people serving?

2 5

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Edwin Park @edwincpark.bsky.social · Jun 28

The reason that states have already capped existing 1915(c) #Medicaid HCBS waivers is due to cost. Now states will face massive financing cuts especially because of provider tax restrictions, new administrative burdens to implement work requirements & other cost-shifts like in SNAP (5/x)

1 4 16

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Timothy McBride @mcbridetd.bsky.social · Jun 28

Reverse Robin Hood

The Big Bill is designed as a huge tax cut for the rich funded by spending cuts to safety net programs for the poor.

7 11

Reposted by Natalie Kean

Justice in Aging @justiceinaging.org · Jun 26

“What work requirements amount to are penalties for people who lose their job…people who have to retire early or often having chronic conditions that prevent them from working full time.”
— @nataliekean.bsky.social‬

‘People are going to die’: how Medicaid work requirements cost people their health insurance

Those caring for relatives with severe disabilities say planned Republican cuts will be fatal for some

www.theguardian.com

4 4