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Louisiana teachers' union concerned about educators' future; Supreme Court hears arguments in Trump immunity case; court issues restraining order against fracking waste-storage facility; landmark NE agreement takes a proactive approach to CO2 pipeline risks.

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Speaker Johnson accuses demonstrating students of getting support from Hamas. TikTok says it'll challenge the ban. And the Supreme Court dives into the gray area between abortion and pregnancy healthcare, and into former President Trump's broad immunity claims.

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The urban-rural death divide is widening for working-age Americans, many home internet connections established for rural students during COVID have been broken, and a new federal rule aims to put the "public" back in public lands.

Arkansans still have time to sign up before ACA enrollment deadline

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Thursday, November 30, 2023   

In Arkansas and across the nation, open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act ends on December 15 at midnight.

The federal government reports more than four million people have signed up since open enrollment began November 1.

At Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, Health Policy Director Camille Richoux said the ACA open enrollment period runs until January 15 - but Arkansans would have to enroll within the next two weeks to get a full year of coverage starting January 1.

"More than 400,000 Arkansans did lose or were removed from our Medicaid enrollment, due to our pandemic unwinding," said Richoux. "And they lost coverage, specifically on our Medicaid and CHIP programs. Many of those people who are no longer eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, they can find insurance through the Marketplace."

Richoux added that Arkansas Medicaid requirements are different for adults than for children.

For adults, their income must be under 137% of the Federal Poverty Level. That's roughly $34,000 a year for a family of three.

And for kids, family income has to be below 250% of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, that's roughly $62,000 a year.

Richoux added that access to healthcare - particularly primary and preventive care and emergency services - is crucial for most families.

She added that some healthcare plans offer lower premiums, as the Inflation Reduction Act has extended the federal subsidies that help pay those premiums through 2025.

"We do know that about four out of five enrollees are on plans that cost less than $10 a month," said Richoux. "And there are navigators online that can help you find a plan that's best for them and their families."

She recommended that people look online at 'healthcare.gov' to shop for plans, compare prices and see if they qualify for a premium subsidy.




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