Joan Alker
@joanalker1.bsky.social
ED of Georgetown Center for Children and Families and Research Professor at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy; post mostly about Medicaid, CHIP and such... Visit our website at ccf.georgetown.edu
Bad bunny knocked it out of the park.
February 9, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Bad bunny knocked it out of the park.
Rural health transformation fund” in HR1 was peddled as saving rural hospitals from draconian federal Medicaid cuts.
Yet a rural hospital in Idaho is already on the brink and the fund won’t save them
And this in Sen. Crapo Ch. Senate Finance Ctte’s home state
www.eastidahonews.com/2026/01/perf...
Yet a rural hospital in Idaho is already on the brink and the fund won’t save them
And this in Sen. Crapo Ch. Senate Finance Ctte’s home state
www.eastidahonews.com/2026/01/perf...
'Perfect storm': Why Teton Valley Health Care chose to lay off staff, close infusion clinic - East Idaho News
DRIGGS — Facing difficult decisions as state and federal funding stalls, Teton Valley Health Care administrators made the decision to lay off dozens of employees and close an infusion clinic. In all, ...
www.eastidahonews.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Rural health transformation fund” in HR1 was peddled as saving rural hospitals from draconian federal Medicaid cuts.
Yet a rural hospital in Idaho is already on the brink and the fund won’t save them
And this in Sen. Crapo Ch. Senate Finance Ctte’s home state
www.eastidahonews.com/2026/01/perf...
Yet a rural hospital in Idaho is already on the brink and the fund won’t save them
And this in Sen. Crapo Ch. Senate Finance Ctte’s home state
www.eastidahonews.com/2026/01/perf...
Today Florida dropped its lawsuit against the federal government related to federal continuous coverage requirements for children in CHIP which Florida does not want to comply with. The suit was filed during Biden years and was dismissed by a judge - the state then appealed.
February 6, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Today Florida dropped its lawsuit against the federal government related to federal continuous coverage requirements for children in CHIP which Florida does not want to comply with. The suit was filed during Biden years and was dismissed by a judge - the state then appealed.
Reposted by Joan Alker
Devastated to see what’s happening at a place that I loved because it was the writing home of so many people I loved. what a gutting week
Should You Buy a Newspaper or a Yacht?
Advice for Jeff Bezos
www.theatlantic.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:33 AM
Devastated to see what’s happening at a place that I loved because it was the writing home of so many people I loved. what a gutting week
Sen Hawley (R-MO) was a vocal participant in the debate around Medicaid cuts last year -- raising concerns but ultimately voting yes.
Big problems face his state now as this article illustrates.
www.news-leader.com/story/news/p...
Big problems face his state now as this article illustrates.
www.news-leader.com/story/news/p...
'Bankruptcy' warnings as Missouri social services seek more funding
Missouri could lose more than $1 billion if it does not reduce its Medicaid error rate to below 3%, requiring more staff and technology improvements.
www.news-leader.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Sen Hawley (R-MO) was a vocal participant in the debate around Medicaid cuts last year -- raising concerns but ultimately voting yes.
Big problems face his state now as this article illustrates.
www.news-leader.com/story/news/p...
Big problems face his state now as this article illustrates.
www.news-leader.com/story/news/p...
My latest blog on what we’re worrying about at @georgetownccf.bsky.social.
ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/02/06/c...
ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/02/06/c...
Critical Threats to Child and Family Health Intensify in 2026: Here is What We are Watching at CCF
The policy landscape for child and family health has undergone a dramatic transformation following the passage of H.R. 1, the budget reconciliation bill known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and re...
ccf.georgetown.edu
February 6, 2026 at 8:27 PM
My latest blog on what we’re worrying about at @georgetownccf.bsky.social.
ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/02/06/c...
ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/02/06/c...
😱 Bad worlds colliding.
BREAKING: ICE has halted "all movement" at a Texas detention facility due to measles infections, DHS confirms.
ICE halts "all movement" at Texas detention facility due to measles infections
The measles cases at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center were detected Friday, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to CBS News.
cbsn.ws
February 6, 2026 at 3:56 AM
😱 Bad worlds colliding.
Reposted by Joan Alker
This is nothing. It reduces the force to 2300. There are still as many DHS agents as police officers in the ten largest metro areas in the Twin Cities. (Minneapolis has 600 officers for comparison). There were around 150 DHS officers before Metro Surge.
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Border czar Tom Homan says 700 ICE and CBP officers are leaving Minneapolis
The reduction is a significant scale back of the Department of Homeland Security’s presence in Minnesota and comes after two U.S. citizens were fatally shot.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:18 PM
This is nothing. It reduces the force to 2300. There are still as many DHS agents as police officers in the ten largest metro areas in the Twin Cities. (Minneapolis has 600 officers for comparison). There were around 150 DHS officers before Metro Surge.
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Reposted by Joan Alker
BREAKING: The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
DHS has requested expedited deportation proceedings against family of Liam Conejo Ramos
The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
www.mprnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 2:17 AM
BREAKING: The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
A spot of good news amidst a rough start to 2026 for those of us at @georgetownccf.bsky.social. We are thrilled to have the wonderful Steven Lopez joining us for 2026 to conduct his doctoral research on the impact of anti-immigrant policies on children's health.
ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/02/05/c...
ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/02/05/c...
CCF Welcomes Longtime Collaborator Steven Lopez to our Team
We are all looking for some good news in 2026 and we have some to share with you. Steven Lopez, MPP/MPH joined Georgetown University Center for Children and Families as a McCourt School of Public Poli...
ccf.georgetown.edu
February 6, 2026 at 12:06 AM
A spot of good news amidst a rough start to 2026 for those of us at @georgetownccf.bsky.social. We are thrilled to have the wonderful Steven Lopez joining us for 2026 to conduct his doctoral research on the impact of anti-immigrant policies on children's health.
ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/02/05/c...
ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/02/05/c...
Seriously??
Medgar Evers’ killer was a Klansman, but Trump administration says stop calling him a racist mississippitoday.org/2026/02/05/m...
Medgar Evers’ killer was a Klansman, but Trump administration says stop calling him a racist mississippitoday.org/2026/02/05/m...
Medgar Evers’ killer was a Klansman, but Trump administration says stop calling him a racist - Mississippi Today
Among anticipated changes to a new visitor brochure for the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument is no longer using "racist" to describe the killer of the civil rights leader.
mississippitoday.org
February 5, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Seriously??
Medgar Evers’ killer was a Klansman, but Trump administration says stop calling him a racist mississippitoday.org/2026/02/05/m...
Medgar Evers’ killer was a Klansman, but Trump administration says stop calling him a racist mississippitoday.org/2026/02/05/m...
This is a fantastic read about the profit taking from corporate vendors and public benefit systems and how to fix this. It is doable -- just need the political will.
I’m glad there is broad political consensus that this is a problem. I have some ideas on how we can actually fix it through antitrust enforcement, growing state capacity to build, and simplifying programs to protect them from capture. 👇
lpeproject.org/blog/the-mea...
lpeproject.org/blog/the-mea...
The Means-Testing Industrial Complex
As Republicans tightened work requirements and eligibility rules for Medicaid and SNAP last year, Equifax’s CEO openly celebrated the profits to be made from administering this deprivation.
lpeproject.org
February 4, 2026 at 10:34 PM
This is a fantastic read about the profit taking from corporate vendors and public benefit systems and how to fix this. It is doable -- just need the political will.
This Public News Service article is well worth your time—highly recommend!! app.publicnewsservice.org/story/ice-be...
ICE being watched for health information sharing
Health policy researchers are monitoring potential movement on the sharing of sensitive information with federal immigration authorities.The crisis in Minnesota is reviving talks about the impacts on ...
app.publicnewsservice.org
February 4, 2026 at 5:01 PM
This Public News Service article is well worth your time—highly recommend!! app.publicnewsservice.org/story/ice-be...
Mandatory Medicaid work requirements brought to you by HR 1 will take away coverage from people who desperately need it and shift taxpayer $ to for-profit vendors like Equifax.
State health officials say Medicaid will need new funding by 2027 to cover costs tied to federal work requirements, including eligibility checks and work tracking. With no budget in place, lawmakers must act soon to meet federal deadlines.
READ NOW:
🔗 www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/01/30/m...
READ NOW:
🔗 www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/01/30/m...
February 3, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Mandatory Medicaid work requirements brought to you by HR 1 will take away coverage from people who desperately need it and shift taxpayer $ to for-profit vendors like Equifax.
New on the blog from Kay Johnson https://ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/01/28/state-title-v-programs-should-invest-more-in-maternal-and-infant-health-and-wellbeing/
State Title V Programs Should Invest More in Maternal and Infant Health and Wellbeing
A recently released report, The Role of the Title V MCH Services Block Grant in Improving Maternal and Infant Health, examines the fiscal investments for pregnant women and infants made by Title V Mat...
ccf.georgetown.edu
February 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM
New on the blog from Kay Johnson https://ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/01/28/state-title-v-programs-should-invest-more-in-maternal-and-infant-health-and-wellbeing/
Reposted by Joan Alker
Citing fear of ICE, pregnant immigrants in Minnesota are
-skipping prenatal care
-requesting home births, even when not medically advised
-going w/o adequate food
Many are experiencing complications providers say can be stress-onset: diabetes, high blood pressure, and even water breaking early
-skipping prenatal care
-requesting home births, even when not medically advised
-going w/o adequate food
Many are experiencing complications providers say can be stress-onset: diabetes, high blood pressure, and even water breaking early
Fear of ICE is keeping pregnant immigrants in Minnesota from critical care
Health care providers in Minnesota said pregnant patients are having more complications linked to stress. But fear of immigration agents is keeping them from prenatal care.
19thnews.org
January 30, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Citing fear of ICE, pregnant immigrants in Minnesota are
-skipping prenatal care
-requesting home births, even when not medically advised
-going w/o adequate food
Many are experiencing complications providers say can be stress-onset: diabetes, high blood pressure, and even water breaking early
-skipping prenatal care
-requesting home births, even when not medically advised
-going w/o adequate food
Many are experiencing complications providers say can be stress-onset: diabetes, high blood pressure, and even water breaking early
ICYMI: Maximizing the Use of Self-Help Resources Should Be a Priority as HR 1 Policies Are Implemented https://ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/01/29/maximizing-the-use-of-self-help-resources-should-be-a-priority-as-hr-1-policies-are-implemented/
Maximizing the Use of Self-Help Resources Should Be a Priority as HR 1 Policies Are Implemented
As the 41 states that expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under the Affordable Care Act, approach the implementation of H.R. 1’s federally mandated semi-annual renewals, we thought it would be help...
ccf.georgetown.edu
January 30, 2026 at 6:00 PM
ICYMI: Maximizing the Use of Self-Help Resources Should Be a Priority as HR 1 Policies Are Implemented https://ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/01/29/maximizing-the-use-of-self-help-resources-should-be-a-priority-as-hr-1-policies-are-implemented/
There is a heck of a lot going on w/ Medicaid
Monday 2/2 at noon ET @georgetownccf.bsky.social will hold a press availability with our experts to discuss:
- alleged Medicaid fraud in MN
- Medicaid data sharing w/ ICE
- new provider tax rule
- why the child uninsured rate is likely going up
+ more
Monday 2/2 at noon ET @georgetownccf.bsky.social will hold a press availability with our experts to discuss:
- alleged Medicaid fraud in MN
- Medicaid data sharing w/ ICE
- new provider tax rule
- why the child uninsured rate is likely going up
+ more
January 30, 2026 at 4:52 PM
There is a heck of a lot going on w/ Medicaid
Monday 2/2 at noon ET @georgetownccf.bsky.social will hold a press availability with our experts to discuss:
- alleged Medicaid fraud in MN
- Medicaid data sharing w/ ICE
- new provider tax rule
- why the child uninsured rate is likely going up
+ more
Monday 2/2 at noon ET @georgetownccf.bsky.social will hold a press availability with our experts to discuss:
- alleged Medicaid fraud in MN
- Medicaid data sharing w/ ICE
- new provider tax rule
- why the child uninsured rate is likely going up
+ more
Reposted by Joan Alker
“We had to deliver them to a detention center,” principal Jason Kuhlman said about the second grader and fifth grader.
‘I don’t have words’: 2 more kids from Liam Ramos’ Columbia Heights school taken into ICE custody
The children were taken into ICE custody after their mother was detained at a court appointment. School leaders say the mother asked them to bring the kids to the detention center because there were n...
www.mprnews.org
January 30, 2026 at 2:39 AM
“We had to deliver them to a detention center,” principal Jason Kuhlman said about the second grader and fifth grader.
Reposted by Joan Alker
We hear about the severe Medicaid cuts in the Big Bad Betrayal Bill, and what this means for children's health care and long-term care w/ @joanalker1.bsky.social.
Listen: https://www.momsrising.org/bt22dec25
Listen: https://www.momsrising.org/bt22dec25
January 29, 2026 at 10:46 PM
We hear about the severe Medicaid cuts in the Big Bad Betrayal Bill, and what this means for children's health care and long-term care w/ @joanalker1.bsky.social.
Listen: https://www.momsrising.org/bt22dec25
Listen: https://www.momsrising.org/bt22dec25
The fight re ACA Medicaid expansion has been for many years a fight inside the GOP caucus. Voters in red states always vote yes.
Today in SD a 39-27 vote to preserve expansion.
South Dakota House stops proposal asking voters to repeal Medicaid expansion southdakotasearchlight.com/briefs/south...
Today in SD a 39-27 vote to preserve expansion.
South Dakota House stops proposal asking voters to repeal Medicaid expansion southdakotasearchlight.com/briefs/south...
South Dakota House stops proposal asking voters to repeal Medicaid expansion • South Dakota Searchlight
The effort would have placed a state constitutional amendment on the general election ballot in November to repeal expanded Medicaid.
southdakotasearchlight.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:37 PM
The fight re ACA Medicaid expansion has been for many years a fight inside the GOP caucus. Voters in red states always vote yes.
Today in SD a 39-27 vote to preserve expansion.
South Dakota House stops proposal asking voters to repeal Medicaid expansion southdakotasearchlight.com/briefs/south...
Today in SD a 39-27 vote to preserve expansion.
South Dakota House stops proposal asking voters to repeal Medicaid expansion southdakotasearchlight.com/briefs/south...
Another reminder that the largest cuts in Medicaid’s history were made by this Congress in part to fund a tripling of ICE/DHS budget.
January 26, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Another reminder that the largest cuts in Medicaid’s history were made by this Congress in part to fund a tripling of ICE/DHS budget.
DHS's proposed changes to the 'public charge' rule could increase the number of uninsured children by 25%. CCF's Kelly Whitener spoke with @npr about the 'chilling effect' where families become afraid to sign their eligible children up for Medicaid. https://n.pr/464RzLy
Change to the 'public charge' rule could leave many kids without insurance
The Department of Homeland Security wants to eliminate guidelines around what public benefits can be considered in a "public charge" determination. Experts warn it could have a chilling effect.
n.pr
January 22, 2026 at 6:00 PM
DHS's proposed changes to the 'public charge' rule could increase the number of uninsured children by 25%. CCF's Kelly Whitener spoke with @npr about the 'chilling effect' where families become afraid to sign their eligible children up for Medicaid. https://n.pr/464RzLy