Bipartisan housing bill seeks to stop major investors from hoarding homes in the U.S.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
The Senate has passed a bipartisan affordable housing bill aimed at curbing the influence of major investors in the U.S. housing market. The legislation, known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, specifically limits institutional investors to owning no more than 350 single-family homes each. This move seeks to address the ongoing shortage of affordable housing, a crisis that has been exacerbated by outdated regulations and the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.
Proponents of the bill argue that large investors drive up home prices by outbidding individual buyers, making it increasingly difficult for first-time homebuyers to enter the market. In addition to limiting investor ownership, the bill includes provisions to streamline construction processes and increase federal funding for housing initiatives, with the overarching goal of expanding the housing supply.
If approved by the House, the bill is expected to be signed into law by President Trump, who has emphasized the need for comprehensive housing reform.
**Sources:** Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, CBS News, Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Los Angeles Times, Policy Magazine, Quiver Quantitative.
Health insurance enrollment drops for the first time in years, raising concerns about affordability.
Ad-hoc News
Health insurance enrollment in New Hampshire has dropped by 4.1% this year, marking the first decline in several years. Approximately 73,090 individuals signed up for the health insurance marketplace, a decrease following a record-breaking enrollment year in 2025, which saw about 76,251 enrollees. This decline comes on the heels of the expiration of pandemic-era subsidies that had made insurance more affordable for many.
Nationally, over a million people have also stopped enrolling in Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, indicating a broader trend of declining participation in health insurance marketplaces. Despite New Hampshire's relatively low ACA benchmark premiums, affordability remains a significant concern for many families as healthcare costs continue to rise.
Experts warn that if this trend continues, it could lead to a less healthy risk pool and further increases in premiums, exacerbating the affordability crisis.
**Sources:** Ad-hoc News, Benzinga, LLC, Health Insurance Marketplace, New Hampshire Public Radio, Stoughton News, The New Castle News.
Rising healthcare costs drive individuals to seek treatment abroad, revealing access issues.
Yahoo! Inc.
Rising healthcare costs in the United States are prompting individuals like former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene to seek medical treatment abroad, specifically in Mexico for stem cell therapy. Greene, who does not have health insurance, highlighted that many Americans are turning to medical tourism due to the unaffordability and inaccessibility of treatments at home.
She pointed out that the stem cell therapy she received is not FDA-approved in the U.S., which further necessitated her travel. The financial burden of healthcare is significant, with Greene claiming that a family of four can spend up to $27,000 annually on health insurance, a figure that many find prohibitive.
This trend underscores the broader issue of healthcare access in the U.S., where a substantial portion of the population remains uninsured or underinsured, exacerbating the healthcare crisis.
**Sources:** Outlook Money, USA Today, Yahoo! Inc.
Rising uninsured Americans raises concerns about healthcare access and affordability.
RealClear Health
The number of uninsured Americans has risen significantly, raising alarms about healthcare access and affordability. In 2024, over 26.7 million individuals aged 0-64 were uninsured, marking an increase of 1.3 million from the previous year. This rise in the uninsured rate, from 9.5% to 9.8%, is the first increase since 2019.
A major factor contributing to this increase is the decline in Medicaid coverage, particularly following the end of continuous enrollment during the pandemic. Many individuals who lost Medicaid coverage do not have access to affordable job-based insurance. Although some transitioned to subsidized Marketplace coverage, many found it unaffordable.
The Congressional Budget Office projects that over 14 million more people could be uninsured by 2034 due to changes in Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace. Low-income families are disproportionately affected, with 80.1% of the uninsured living in such households. Additionally, over 63% of uninsured individuals are people of color, highlighting racial disparities in healthcare access.
The high cost of insurance remains a primary reason for being uninsured, with 61.7% citing affordability issues. Many uninsured adults report delaying or forgoing necessary medical care due to costs, which can lead to worse health outcomes. Uninsured individuals are also more likely to experience financial distress, including medical debt.
The lack of insurance is linked to higher rates of undiagnosed chronic conditions and increased mortality rates. The situation is exacerbated in states that have not expanded Medicaid, where uninsured rates are nearly double those in expansion states. As healthcare costs continue to rise, the need for comprehensive reforms to improve access and affordability becomes increasingly urgent. Current trends indicate a troubling trajectory for healthcare access in the United States.
**Sources:** RealClear Health, Reflector, the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Universal basic income initiatives may enhance financial stability for families.
wrtv
With the extra income, she was able to buy gifts for her son and enroll in cosmetology classes. The program has shown that guaranteed income can significantly improve financial security for families. Research indicates that participants have increased their ability to pay bills on time and save for emergencies. The program has also led to improvements in food security and access to health insurance.
As the initiative continues, it aims to advocate for guaranteed income policies in public policy. Similar programs across the U.S. have demonstrated the positive impact of direct cash payments on low-income families. In Albuquerque, a UBI program funded by cannabis tax revenue has helped families improve their financial situations. Participants reported increased savings and reduced food insecurity.
The success of these initiatives highlights the potential of universal basic income to enhance financial stability for families. Advocates argue that such programs can help break the cycle of poverty. The Magnolia Mother’s Trust and similar initiatives center the voices of marginalized communities in their approach. Overall, these programs illustrate the transformative power of guaranteed income in supporting families.
**Sources:** Counterpunch, G/O Media Inc., IndexBox Inc., Leafie, The Daytona Beach News-Journal, WRTV.