Dustin Pugel
@dustinpugel.bsky.social
Husband, dad, wonk with @kypolicy.bsky.social & runner (preferably on trails). Trying to bring Shalom to the commonwealth. The plural of anecdote is not data.
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
United States, November 2025.
November 7, 2025 at 11:04 AM
United States, November 2025.
New update on November SNAP benefits in Kentucky:
November 6, 2025 at 8:33 PM
New update on November SNAP benefits in Kentucky:
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
The US House of Representatives committee calendar for October 2025
It's .... quite something
It's .... quite something
October 31, 2025 at 5:46 PM
The US House of Representatives committee calendar for October 2025
It's .... quite something
It's .... quite something
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
2 federal judges ruled nearly simultaneously that Trump must continue to fund SNAP using contingency funds during the government shutdown. One gave them until Monday to tell the court whether it will “authorize at least reduced SNAP benefits for November” and set a timeline for doing so.
Judges order the Trump administration to use contingency funds for SNAP payments during the shutdown
Two federal judges ruled nearly simultaneously on Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must continue to fund SNAP, the nation’s biggest food aid program, using contingency funds during ...
www.lpm.org
October 31, 2025 at 7:58 PM
2 federal judges ruled nearly simultaneously that Trump must continue to fund SNAP using contingency funds during the government shutdown. One gave them until Monday to tell the court whether it will “authorize at least reduced SNAP benefits for November” and set a timeline for doing so.
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
Window shopping for 2026 ACA marketplace plans is open for almost all states, and open enrollment is only days away. Millions of marketplace enrollees are seeing 2026 premiums spike due to expiring premium tax credits. See our paper with state-level estimates: tinyurl.com/zndd97k7
October 29, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Window shopping for 2026 ACA marketplace plans is open for almost all states, and open enrollment is only days away. Millions of marketplace enrollees are seeing 2026 premiums spike due to expiring premium tax credits. See our paper with state-level estimates: tinyurl.com/zndd97k7
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
NEWS: The Trump admin's decision to suspend SNAP benefits due to the shutdown has been blocked. In two cases, both judges found the government action is likely illegal. Although a judge in Mass gave the admin until Monday to reverse course, a judge in Rhode Island issued a TRO from the bench today.
BREAKING: Federal judge rules that the Trump administration likely illegally suspended SNAP benefits, ruling that at least reduced distribution is required to go forward under law using the $6 billion reserve fund.
Judge gives the Trump admin until Monday to respond as to whether it will act.
Judge gives the Trump admin until Monday to respond as to whether it will act.
![UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS ET AL.,
Plaintiffs,
V.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ET AL.,
Defendants.
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Civil Action No. 1:25-cv-13165-IT
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
October 31, 2025
TALWANI, D.J.
Pending before the court is Plaintiffs' Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order [Doc.
No. 3] seeking to enjoin, on an emergency basis, Defendants' November 1, 2025 suspension of benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ("SNAP"). For the reasons stated
below, Plaintiffs have standing to bring this action and are likely to succeed on their claim that
Defendants' suspension of SNAP benefits is unlawful. Where that suspension of benefits rested
on an erroneous construction of the relevant statutory provisions, the court will allow Defendants
to consider whether they will authorize at least reduced SNAP benefits for November, and report
back to the court no later than Monday, November 3, 2025.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreiczapq36myqhzcrdp4jfodg5rkso7nuvlta4e5b5r4l5upce7b3le@jpeg)
![As both parties acknowledge, Congress has not yet appropriated any new funds for SNAP
benefits for Fiscal Year 2026, which began on October 1, 2025. Pls.' Mem. 6 [Doc. No. 4];
Defs.' Opp'n 7 [Doc. No. 18]. But Congress took steps to protect against the deprivation of
SNAP assistance. In the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Pub. L. No. 118-42, § 6, 138
Stat. 25, 93-94, Congress separately appropriated $6 billion to the SNAP program "to remain available through September 30, 2026" and "be placed in reserve for use only in such amounts and at such times as may become necessary to carry out program operations." See also Pub. L.
No. 119-4, § 1101(a), 139 Stat. 9, 10 (2025). As Plaintiffs point out, given the mandatory nature
of SNAP benefits under 7 U.S.C. § 2014(a) and the appropriation of these funds to be available
10
Case 1:25-cv-13165-IT
Document 26 Filed 10/31/25
Page 11 of 15
through this current fiscal year, the government is obligated to use this contingent reserve
account to fund SNAP "as may become necessary to carry out program operations." 138 Stat. at
93-94; Pls.' Mem. 11 [Doc. No. 4].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreiac7aa6icx44x5xjkilpwj7il5oriyttttnrslzrhkwvw6b32cbnm@jpeg)
October 31, 2025 at 6:28 PM
NEWS: The Trump admin's decision to suspend SNAP benefits due to the shutdown has been blocked. In two cases, both judges found the government action is likely illegal. Although a judge in Mass gave the admin until Monday to reverse course, a judge in Rhode Island issued a TRO from the bench today.
Many Kentuckians to pay hundreds or even thousands more for health insurance next year - @lpm.org
www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...
www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...
October 30, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Many Kentuckians to pay hundreds or even thousands more for health insurance next year - @lpm.org
www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...
www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...
We will be spending 50% more in federal money on a ballroom than we will on the necessary technology for all 50 states + DC to implement the work reporting requirement for Medicaid.
The worse that reporting technology is, the more people will lose health coverage. 🤷♂️
The worse that reporting technology is, the more people will lose health coverage. 🤷♂️
Demolition crews appeared to finish taking down the bulk of the White House wing Thursday, while President Trump defended the $300 million project.
The remaining section was jagged with damage, exposed brick and dangling wire, according to photographs obtained by The Post. https://wapo.st/3WkL1U8
The remaining section was jagged with damage, exposed brick and dangling wire, according to photographs obtained by The Post. https://wapo.st/3WkL1U8
October 24, 2025 at 6:39 PM
We will be spending 50% more in federal money on a ballroom than we will on the necessary technology for all 50 states + DC to implement the work reporting requirement for Medicaid.
The worse that reporting technology is, the more people will lose health coverage. 🤷♂️
The worse that reporting technology is, the more people will lose health coverage. 🤷♂️
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
October 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Window shopping for health plans on kynect begins this week. Families and small businesses are in for some congress-made sticker shock.
www.axios.com/2025/10/15/p...
www.axios.com/2025/10/15/p...
Premium increases hit home for millions amid ACA turmoil
Sticker shock could lead many Americans to conclude health coverage is out of reach.
www.axios.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Window shopping for health plans on kynect begins this week. Families and small businesses are in for some congress-made sticker shock.
www.axios.com/2025/10/15/p...
www.axios.com/2025/10/15/p...
Just a quick note on the state of our safety net in KY:
-Medicaid cuts will hit hard in coming years
-kynect costs are about to spike
-SNAP just became far more restrictive
-WIC runs out of $ quickly during a shutdown
-KTAP benefits were cut by >1/3
Its bleak for the poor rn.
-Medicaid cuts will hit hard in coming years
-kynect costs are about to spike
-SNAP just became far more restrictive
-WIC runs out of $ quickly during a shutdown
-KTAP benefits were cut by >1/3
Its bleak for the poor rn.
October 9, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Just a quick note on the state of our safety net in KY:
-Medicaid cuts will hit hard in coming years
-kynect costs are about to spike
-SNAP just became far more restrictive
-WIC runs out of $ quickly during a shutdown
-KTAP benefits were cut by >1/3
Its bleak for the poor rn.
-Medicaid cuts will hit hard in coming years
-kynect costs are about to spike
-SNAP just became far more restrictive
-WIC runs out of $ quickly during a shutdown
-KTAP benefits were cut by >1/3
Its bleak for the poor rn.
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
My latest 👇
Data from the @kypolicy.bsky.social study shows one county jail in Kentucky had contracted with ICE to hold roughly 120 detainees in January. By August, nine county jails held more than 900.
Report: Kentucky jails contracting with ICE have 659% increase in detainees this year
Data from the study shows one county jail in Kentucky had contracted with ICE to hold roughly 120 detainees in January. By August, nine county jails held more than 900.
www.lpm.org
October 7, 2025 at 7:35 PM
My latest 👇
With enhanced health insurance subsidies coming to an end this year, premium costs are about to explode for Kentuckians who buy insurance on kynect...
...unless Congress acts in the coming weeks to extend them, which they absolutely should.
kypolicy.org/aca-marketpl...
...unless Congress acts in the coming weeks to extend them, which they absolutely should.
kypolicy.org/aca-marketpl...
Costs on Kentucky’s Health Insurance Marketplace Will Explode Without Quick Action From Congress - Kentucky Center for Economic Policy
For the nearly 100,000 Kentuckians who signed up for plans on kynect this year, premium costs are on track to skyrocket.
kypolicy.org
September 22, 2025 at 4:38 PM
With enhanced health insurance subsidies coming to an end this year, premium costs are about to explode for Kentuckians who buy insurance on kynect...
...unless Congress acts in the coming weeks to extend them, which they absolutely should.
kypolicy.org/aca-marketpl...
...unless Congress acts in the coming weeks to extend them, which they absolutely should.
kypolicy.org/aca-marketpl...
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
👏 Shoutout to @KyVoices4Health & @kypolicy for pushing back and making sure people know what’s at stake: our health care, our hospitals, and our communities. ✍️ Emily Beauregard @KyVoices4Health & Dustin Pugel @kypolicy.bsky.social
Read more ➡️ www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-e...
Read more ➡️ www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-e...
Don’t listen to politicians who say Big Beautiful Bill will save Medicaid | Opinion
OpEd: The Big Beautiful Bill weakens Medicaid, straining our healthcare infrastructure, reducing access, and driving up costs for everyone.
www.kentucky.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:24 PM
👏 Shoutout to @KyVoices4Health & @kypolicy for pushing back and making sure people know what’s at stake: our health care, our hospitals, and our communities. ✍️ Emily Beauregard @KyVoices4Health & Dustin Pugel @kypolicy.bsky.social
Read more ➡️ www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-e...
Read more ➡️ www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-e...
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
Commentary by @dustinpugel.bsky.social and Emily Beauregard
Supporters of Medicaid cuts have worked hard to sell a particular stereotype, painting pictures of young men somehow living high off their health insurance. But that certainly isn’t the case in KY.
kentuckylantern.com/2025/09/03/m...
Supporters of Medicaid cuts have worked hard to sell a particular stereotype, painting pictures of young men somehow living high off their health insurance. But that certainly isn’t the case in KY.
kentuckylantern.com/2025/09/03/m...
Make no mistake, Big Beautiful Bill weakens Medicaid • Kentucky Lantern
Cuts coming to Medicaid will weaken the bedrock of Kentucky’s entire health care system.
kentuckylantern.com
September 3, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Commentary by @dustinpugel.bsky.social and Emily Beauregard
Supporters of Medicaid cuts have worked hard to sell a particular stereotype, painting pictures of young men somehow living high off their health insurance. But that certainly isn’t the case in KY.
kentuckylantern.com/2025/09/03/m...
Supporters of Medicaid cuts have worked hard to sell a particular stereotype, painting pictures of young men somehow living high off their health insurance. But that certainly isn’t the case in KY.
kentuckylantern.com/2025/09/03/m...
Sure looks like the workers at Kentucky's largest battery plant is close to having a union. Nothing is certain yet, but the fact that there is this much support for organizing in our current environment is really amazing.
kentuckylantern.com/2025/08/28/u...
kentuckylantern.com/2025/08/28/u...
Union vote uncertain at Kentucky EV battery plant as ballots are challenged in tight election • Kentucky Lantern
United Auto Workers claim victory at EV battery plant in Kentucky, though final vote tally is uncertain with dozens of ballots being challenged.
kentuckylantern.com
August 28, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Sure looks like the workers at Kentucky's largest battery plant is close to having a union. Nothing is certain yet, but the fact that there is this much support for organizing in our current environment is really amazing.
kentuckylantern.com/2025/08/28/u...
kentuckylantern.com/2025/08/28/u...
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
In 2025, where you live still matters to your health.
Our state scorecard report tracks access, outcomes, and equity in all 50 states.
View the 2025 Scorecard to see how your state ranked.
Our state scorecard report tracks access, outcomes, and equity in all 50 states.
View the 2025 Scorecard to see how your state ranked.
2025 Scorecard on State Health System Performance
The Commonwealth Fund 2025 Scorecard ranks states’ health care systems based on how well they provide high-quality, accessible, and equitable health care.
bit.ly
August 11, 2025 at 1:27 PM
In 2025, where you live still matters to your health.
Our state scorecard report tracks access, outcomes, and equity in all 50 states.
View the 2025 Scorecard to see how your state ranked.
Our state scorecard report tracks access, outcomes, and equity in all 50 states.
View the 2025 Scorecard to see how your state ranked.
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
In pre-birthing classes etc. people are often told that labor can take awhile, you don't need to rush to hospital. My labor first went realllllllllly fast. I arrived at hospital about 10 minute drive away almost too far along to get an epidural. An hour earlier I wasn't even sure I was in labor.
“Already we’re seeing OB deserts that are increasing in size, and after the passage of this bill those are going to be markedly worse—where people are going to have to drive hundreds of miles before they can get prenatal care, much less delivery.”@bcrodriguez.bsky.social+ @shefali.bsky.social report
Pregnant people in rural parts of the country are running out of places to give birth
Some doctors worry that massive cuts to Medicaid will leave pregnant people needing to drive hundreds of miles for prenatal care and delivery services.
19thnews.org
August 5, 2025 at 6:33 PM
In pre-birthing classes etc. people are often told that labor can take awhile, you don't need to rush to hospital. My labor first went realllllllllly fast. I arrived at hospital about 10 minute drive away almost too far along to get an epidural. An hour earlier I wasn't even sure I was in labor.
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
As someone who relies heavily on government data for research (not BLS data per se), I am very worried that I am going to have a black box of omitted years in certain data sets. I have concerns with the quality of the data and it's going to take a lot of effort to validate it.
New, from me:
Trump just fired the head of the BLS, accusing her of rigging data.
The reality is that by shooting the messenger reporting on the negative effects of his economic policies, Trump pushed America further into banana republic territory.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/trump-shoo...
Trump just fired the head of the BLS, accusing her of rigging data.
The reality is that by shooting the messenger reporting on the negative effects of his economic policies, Trump pushed America further into banana republic territory.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/trump-shoo...
Trump Shoots the Messenger
Firing the BLS Commissioner moves us into banana republic territory
donmoynihan.substack.com
August 1, 2025 at 10:21 PM
As someone who relies heavily on government data for research (not BLS data per se), I am very worried that I am going to have a black box of omitted years in certain data sets. I have concerns with the quality of the data and it's going to take a lot of effort to validate it.
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
Dr. Erika McEntarfer has devoted her career to public service. She has conducted herself as BLS Commissioner with great integrity. There is no evidence whatsoever that BLS data are politically biased.
#econsky
#econsky
August 1, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Dr. Erika McEntarfer has devoted her career to public service. She has conducted herself as BLS Commissioner with great integrity. There is no evidence whatsoever that BLS data are politically biased.
#econsky
#econsky
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
What to make of POTUS's attempt to fire the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)?
Let's run down what knowledgable people are saying...
Let's run down what knowledgable people are saying...
August 1, 2025 at 10:01 PM
What to make of POTUS's attempt to fire the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)?
Let's run down what knowledgable people are saying...
Let's run down what knowledgable people are saying...
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
Firing the BLS Commissioner — the wonk in charge of the statisticians who track economic reality — is an authoritarian four alarm fire.
It will also backfire: You can't bend economic reality, but you can break the trust of markets. And biased data yields worse policy.
It will also backfire: You can't bend economic reality, but you can break the trust of markets. And biased data yields worse policy.
August 1, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Firing the BLS Commissioner — the wonk in charge of the statisticians who track economic reality — is an authoritarian four alarm fire.
It will also backfire: You can't bend economic reality, but you can break the trust of markets. And biased data yields worse policy.
It will also backfire: You can't bend economic reality, but you can break the trust of markets. And biased data yields worse policy.
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
(The internal logic of the conspiracy allegations is also bizarre.
He claims Biden HELPED himself by publishing initial high numbers & then announcing a downward revision.
Now BLS is HURTING Trump by publishing initial high numbers & then announcing a downward revision?)
He claims Biden HELPED himself by publishing initial high numbers & then announcing a downward revision.
Now BLS is HURTING Trump by publishing initial high numbers & then announcing a downward revision?)
August 1, 2025 at 6:40 PM
(The internal logic of the conspiracy allegations is also bizarre.
He claims Biden HELPED himself by publishing initial high numbers & then announcing a downward revision.
Now BLS is HURTING Trump by publishing initial high numbers & then announcing a downward revision?)
He claims Biden HELPED himself by publishing initial high numbers & then announcing a downward revision.
Now BLS is HURTING Trump by publishing initial high numbers & then announcing a downward revision?)
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
To me, today's jobs report is what entering a recession looks like. Could we pull up? Sure. But if we look back and end up dating an official recession that starts 3-6 months from now, this is what it would look like today - rapid softening/deterioration in the labor market.
August 1, 2025 at 12:41 PM
To me, today's jobs report is what entering a recession looks like. Could we pull up? Sure. But if we look back and end up dating an official recession that starts 3-6 months from now, this is what it would look like today - rapid softening/deterioration in the labor market.
Reposted by Dustin Pugel
Powell stressed today that the Fed's decisions will be based on how the economic data performs in coming months.
One problem: That data may be becoming less reliable.
My story on the BLS's latest cuts to CPI data collection:
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/b... #EconSky
One problem: That data may be becoming less reliable.
My story on the BLS's latest cuts to CPI data collection:
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/b... #EconSky
Cuts to Data Collection May Erode Reliability of Economic Statistics
www.nytimes.com
July 30, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Powell stressed today that the Fed's decisions will be based on how the economic data performs in coming months.
One problem: That data may be becoming less reliable.
My story on the BLS's latest cuts to CPI data collection:
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/b... #EconSky
One problem: That data may be becoming less reliable.
My story on the BLS's latest cuts to CPI data collection:
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/b... #EconSky