Editor’s Note: Starting today and continuing until the end of June, we will share weekly posts with links that helps us all understand what is affecting our work and why it is important.
Lawmakers have reached a deal to save HCMC. According to Rep. Esther Agbaje, the deal includes allocating HCMC $205 million this year, as well as up to $500 million total through 2031. But it comes with a $300 million cut to Human Services programs for the next four years, as well as a $43 million cut to programs serving children and families in 2028 and 2029.
The Minnesota Reformer reports HCMC served patients from all Minnesota counties, except for Mahnomen, which is home to the White Earth reservation.
Meanwhile, about SNAP: 60-year-old Abdiwahid Mohamed was charged with using EBT cards not belonging to him to stock his store.
Have you noticed an uptick in people asking whether you can factor their car note in their case? Erik Noonan at streets.mn writes about how households are struggling with making car payments, and how there isn’t much help available. Meanwhile, Chabeli Carrazana in March wrote about the challenges single mothers have in paying for essentials, including one mother in Florida who experienced cuts to her SNAP benefits due to eligibility requirement changes.
The Guardian reports changes some U.S. transit agencies make, particularly to their bus stops, affects people’s ability to get fresh and healthy food.
The USDA may relocate people working on the SNAP program to regional hubs.
ProPublica reports as many as 300,000 SSI recipients could see a reduction in their SSI and SNAP benefits.
Twelve states have federal waivers to ban the use of SNAP to purchase certain food items. Not Minnesota, however. Winter Keefer reported the bill’s House hearing in March.
And finally, freelance photographer Nicole Neri wrote in the Minnesota Reformer in March about her kafkaesque experience getting off of MinnesotaCare after she experienced a change in income.
