Urban Institute

More than 1 million Ohioans are not receiving essential safety-net benefits like energy assistance and housing support, despite eligibility, according to an Urban Institute analysis. Programs such as the Low Income Energy Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families have low participation rates in Ohio, with barriers including funding shortages, administrative hurdles, and lack of awareness.

Federal Judge Richard Stearns denied 25 states' request to block Medicaid work requirements, upholding a Jan 1 deadline set by Congress. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act mandates states to require Medicaid recipients to work or engage in activities for 80 hours monthly, with states arguing the new 'medically frail' exemption is too narrow.

A federal judge denied 25 states' request to block new Medicaid work requirements, enforcing a Jan. 1 deadline for implementation. The rule mandates Medicaid recipients in 42 states to work, attend school, or volunteer 80 hours monthly, with exemptions for those deemed 'medically frail' under federal guidance.

A federal judge denied 25 Democratic-led states’ request to block Medicaid work requirements, requiring states to meet a Jan. 1 deadline. The rule mandates that Medicaid recipients in 42 states and the District of Columbia work, attend school, or volunteer 80 hours monthly to retain coverage, with states arguing the new exemptions for medically frail individuals are too narrow and costly.

More Americans are using credit to purchase groceries, according to research by the Urban Institute. Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary discusses the trend on 'The Takeout'.

A federal judge denied 25 Democratic-led states' request to pause Medicaid work requirements, which mandate 80 hours of monthly work, education, or volunteering for Medicaid recipients. The ruling upholds a Jan. 1 deadline set by Congress for states to implement the requirements, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

A federal judge denied 25 Democratic-led states' request to block Medicaid work requirements, upholding a January 1 deadline for implementation. The rule, part of a Trump-era law, mandates 80 hours of monthly work, education, or volunteering for Medicaid recipients in 42 states and D.C. The states argued the new 'medically frail' exemption is too narrow and would burden patients with severe illnesses.

One in five Americans are using personal savings to pay for groceries, according to a study by the Urban Institute. Rising grocery prices in April, driven by higher fuel costs linked to the Iran conflict, weather impacts, and trade policies, have prompted cost-cutting strategies like 'backwards shopping.' Additionally, 35% of consumers paid for groceries with credit cards in 2025, and nearly 10% used Buy Now, Pay Later services, with one-third missing payments.

Celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian argues that personal habits, not geographic access, are the main barrier to healthy eating in the U.S., citing technology like Instacart as a solution. He emphasizes meal planning and effort over convenience, despite rising grocery prices.

19.6 percent of adults aged 18 to 64 used savings to buy groceries last year, according to a report from the Urban Institute. Credit card use for groceries also increased, based on December 2025 data from the think tank’s Well-Being and Basic Needs survey.

The architect of Trump Accounts, Brad Gerstner, stated that President Donald Trump aims to automatically enroll up to 70 million American children under 18 into investment accounts. The program, currently opt-in, would require collaboration with government agencies to use Social Security numbers for auto-enrollment, with contributions from private donors and corporations.

Costco leads the list of retailers offering the highest hourly wage for entry-level workers in the US, with other top companies like J.Crew, Madewell, and Zara also paying over $17 per hour. The data, based on Glassdoor's analysis of user-submitted salaries, highlights 20 retailers providing competitive entry-level pay in the retail sector.

For the Struggle, Inc., a Charlotte-based nonprofit, received a $4,000 grant from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to provide nutritious meals to seniors facing food insecurity. The grant supports the nonprofit's Senior Feeding Program, which serves over 200 older adults twice weekly, addressing barriers like fixed incomes and food deserts.

A 2024-2025 study by the Urban Institute found that 30% of Ohio women reported needing but not receiving reproductive care, including preventive gynecologic services and birth control, despite Ohio's 2023 constitutional amendment legalizing abortion. Barriers cited include cost, insurance issues, and appointment difficulties, with disparities noted among young people, those with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

A study found that 34% of women in Florida needed but did not receive reproductive healthcare services between 2024 and 2025, higher than the national average of 30%. Factors include Florida's restrictive abortion policies, lack of Medicaid expansion, and barriers like a six-week abortion ban and 24-hour waiting period.

A survey of 10,000 U.S. adults found 46% struggled to afford healthcare in 2025, with disparities among uninsured individuals, adults with disabilities, and racial minorities. The Urban Institute report highlights rising costs, unmet healthcare needs, and regional challenges, particularly in the South and rural areas.

Olivia Killingsworth, a Brooklyn resident with a rare genetic condition, faces losing her Essential Plan health coverage as New York reverts to a previous eligibility formula, potentially leaving 450,000 low-income residents uninsured. The state’s policy change, triggered by federal legislation, reduces income thresholds for eligibility from 250% to 200% of the federal poverty line.

A 2025 survey by the Urban Institute found 46% of U.S. adults struggled to afford healthcare, with 60% of uninsured adults facing affordability challenges. Disparities were noted across insurance types, disabilities, race, and regions like the South and rural areas.

A 2025 survey of 10,000 U.S. adults found 46% struggled to afford healthcare, with uninsured individuals (60%) and those with disabilities (69%) facing the highest challenges. Disparities were noted across race, health conditions like cancer and COPD, and regions like the South and rural areas. The Urban Institute report highlights rising costs, including deductible increases in Marketplace insurance plans.

A 2025 survey of 10,000 U.S. adults found 46% struggled to afford healthcare, with disparities among uninsured individuals (60%), adults with disabilities (69%), and racial minorities. The Urban Institute report highlights affordability challenges linked to medical debt, unmet healthcare needs, and regional disparities, particularly in the South and rural areas.

A 2025 survey of 10,000 U.S. adults found 46% struggled to afford healthcare, with uninsured adults (60%) and those with disabilities (69%) facing the highest challenges. Disparities were noted across race, region, and health conditions, with the South and rural areas reporting higher affordability issues.

A 2025 survey of 10,000 U.S. adults found 46% struggled to afford healthcare, with disparities based on insurance type, disability status, race, and health conditions. Uninsured adults (60%) and those with disabilities (69%) faced the highest affordability challenges, while regions like the South and rural areas reported higher issues compared to urban areas.

A survey of 10,000 U.S. adults found 46% struggled to afford healthcare in 2025, with 60% of uninsured adults reporting affordability challenges. Disparities were noted among people with disabilities, Black and Hispanic adults, and those with chronic health conditions, while regions with limited Medicaid expansion, like the South, saw higher rates of affordability issues.

A 2025 survey of 10,000 U.S. adults found 46% struggled to afford healthcare, with uninsured adults (60%) and those with disabilities (69%) facing the highest challenges. Disparities were noted among racial groups, with Black and Hispanic adults more likely to report affordability issues than white and Asian adults. Health conditions like stroke and COPD correlated with higher rates of unmet healthcare needs due to costs.

A 2025 survey of 10,000 U.S. adults found 46% struggled to afford healthcare, with 60% of uninsured adults facing affordability issues. Disparities existed across insurance types, disabilities, race, and health conditions, with over 70% of those with strokes or COPD reporting challenges. High deductibles and premium increases in Marketplace plans were also highlighted.

The US nonprofit sector is facing a crisis due to federal funding cuts, with 66% of nonprofits concerned about financial stability and 39% reporting a deficit. Demand for services has increased amid higher inflation and cuts to federal programs. The sector receives at least $240 billion in government grants annually.