Page 11 - Immigrant Issues News Today

Montana is part of a national trend of increasing challenges to abortion access. An injunction was placed on three abortion restriction bills passed in the 2021 session. Now, Attorney General Austin Knudsen wants the state Supreme Court to lift the injunction. ...

A bill to greatly expand health-care coverage for women after giving birth is nearing its final hurdle in the Arizona Legislature - and with bipartisan support, its expected to pass. Under Senate Bill 1272, Medicaid coverage for new mothers would expand from 60 days to 12 months. Studies show Arizona currently has one of the highest rates of pregnancy-related deaths in the country. ...

Wind and solar often get attention for job growth in clean energy, and in Minnesota, those who specialize in home weatherization say demand for this type of work shouldnt be overlooked. The new federal infrastructure law includes $3.5 billion for weatherization programs, which help low-income households with projects such as furnace repairs and insulation. The influx of money means crews can help more individuals reduce their energy cost burden and make their homes healthier. ...

The Minnesota Senate has voted to extend the states reinsurance initiative, designed to keep health premium costs lower, but backers of a separate plan to expand eligibility for a key assistance program said it would help small businesses including farmers afford coverage. Under a House bill, MinnesotaCare, which helps cover medical expenses for low-income residents, would open up to others. Those who make too much to qualify for insurance subsidies, but also have trouble accessing employer-sp...

After years of attempts, a bill designed to reverse troubled finances at the U.S. Postal Service has cleared Congress. It is viewed as a major victory for workers and customers in rural states like North Dakota. ...

Today is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and one in nine women with HIV are unaware they have it. Faith leaders in North Carolina are working to reduce stigma around HIV prevention and testing, especially among Black and Hispanic women. According to 2018 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women make up 58% of diagnoses of HIV infection among women. ...

The first hospital security officers in Rhode Island to unionize have negotiated their first contract, and they have recommendations for workers across the Northeast who may also be interested in forming a union. Some 34 security officers, parking lot attendants and security associates at Women and Infants Hospital in Providence joined 32BJ Service Employees International Union. Its Security Division represents more than 3,000 employees in Massachusetts as well. ...

Election Day 2022 is still nine months off, but Texans already are choosing their candidates in the nations first primary of the year, which could be a bellwether for the rest of the country. John Vasquez, volunteer president of AARP Texas, said there are three ways to vote next month: on the day of the primary, March 1; voting by mail, which has restrictions and requires applying for a ballot; and early in-person voting, which begins in just a few days. "In-person voting begins Febr...

Wisconsins Republican lawmakers are backing a series of bills to set new election administration policies, one of which would give a Republican-controlled committee oversight of election funds. The measure would require any plans for federal election money to get approval from the Legislatures Finance Committee. Currently, the Wisconsin Elections Commission allocates those funds based on federal guidance. ...

Amid support and criticism, a marathon public hearing and debate over a bill to bolster voting access ended in the New Mexico Roundhouse Friday without resolution. The bill would expand online voter registration, including further protections for Native voters, designate election day as a holiday, and create a permanent, voluntary absentee ballot request list. During the nine-hour hearing that included public comment, Jacob Vigil - research and policy analyst with New Mexicos Voices for Chil...