Health care premiums are increasing again under the federal Affordable Care Act, but experts said continued subsidies should protect most Mainers from any additional cost. In fact, eight of 10 Mainers with a marketplace plan are expected to qualify for premium subsidies to lower their monthly payments. Kate Ende, policy director at Consumers for Affordable Healthcare, said it is important for anyone looking to start a new plan or continue their current plan to do their health care homework. .
A new report found factors like geography play a role in assessing Latino wealth gaps in the U.S. The findings are from the Brookings Institution, which said there are regional differences between Latino wealth, assets, and debt. Elvis Rivera, a member of the group Communities Organizing Latino Power and Action, has helped lead financial literacy classes in the Twin Cities. .
Some New Hampshire Democrats have begun a write-in campaign for President Joe Biden since his name will no longer appear on the state s 2024 presidential primary ballot. Biden chose to remove his name when the state announced it would maintain its first-in-the-nation primary status despite the national Democratic Party moving the top spot to South Carolina. Kathleen Sullivan, former chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, said organizers hope to reach as many voters any way they can. .
By Tony Leys for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for the Rural Democracy Initiative-Public News Service Collaboration Allison Roderick has a warning and a pledge for rural residents of her county: The water from their wells could be contaminated, but the government can help make it safe. Roderick is the environmental health officer for Webster County in north-central Iowa, where a few thousand rural residents live among sprawling corn and soybean fields. Many draw their water from private wells, which are exempt from most federal testing and purity regulations. .
Colorado schools are joining the struggle to hold off the worst impacts of climate change and lower their energy bills by installing solar canopies on top of overheating parking lots. More than $33 million from a climate fund approved by Denver voters will be invested to install and maintain canopies at 12 schools and other locations. Emily Gedeon, director of communications and engagement for the Denver Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency, said schools and communities across Denver will see significant benefits. .