Newswatch Inequality State-by-State
California
San Francisco Bay Area — Regional Market Report 2025 - California Health Care Foundation
March 31, 2026 01:43 PM EDT
the California Health Care Foundation
The San Francisco Bay Area is one of seven markets included in the 2025 Regional Markets Study, which focuses on gaining key insights into the organization, financing, and delivery of care in communities across California and over time.
California
Despite Abundance, Texas Continues to Pull Ahead of California in Housing
March 30, 2026 06:12 AM EDT
Richard Hanania
What this can teach us about Elite Human Capital theory
Colorado
Colorado bill would bar debt collectors from seizing wages, homes over medical debt
March 31, 2026 09:29 AM EDT
CBS News
Colorado Consumer Health Initiative says at least 700,000 Coloradans are in collections due to unpaid medical bills
Colorado
Director of Colorado's Medicaid agency resigns after lawmakers planned vote calling for her removal
March 30, 2026 03:14 PM EDT
The Denver Post
Kim Bimestefer’s time overseeing HCPF included the entirety of the pandemic, which hit the U.S. in 2020 and saw the rapid expansion of Medicaid to include a broader swath of the population.
Delaware
Lifesaving medicine available in vending machines using Delaware County opioid settlement funds
March 31, 2026 06:42 PM EDT
KCRG-TV.
Life-saving medication is now available in vending machines in Delaware County as free access to opioid overdose reversal nasal spray expands.
Florida
Premier Community HealthCare fills gap for uninsured and others in Florida
March 30, 2026 11:00 AM EDT
the Tampa Bay Times
Health provider doubled its number of clinics in Pasco and Hernando during the past decade.
Georgia
Georgia won't lower cost of housing until state tackles the 'regulatory tax'
March 31, 2026 08:21 AM EDT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If Georgia is serious about affordable housing, government must eliminate mandates and bureaucratic red tape that make homes more expensive to build.
Georgia
Georgia lawmakers tried to cap rental homes. What happened?
March 30, 2026 07:21 PM EDT
The Athens Banner-Herald.
Georgia lawmakers tried to cap institutional ownership of rental homes to address housing affordability, but the bill failed.
Illinois
Social service concerns mount as federal changes take effect - Illinois Times, the capital city's weekly source of news, politics, arts, entertainment, culture
March 30, 2026 03:51 PM EDT
Times.
The federal budget’s sweeping changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, including additional work requirements and shifting age bracket qualifications, could lead to nearly 20% of Illinois SNAP recipients – as many as 340,000 people – losing benefits in the coming months, according to state estimates and local agencies.
Iowa
Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in Iowa
March 31, 2026 10:28 AM EDT
Albia News.
Stacker compiled a list of cities with the fastest-growing home prices in Iowa using data from Zillow.
Iowa
2518 Wayne Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240 | Realtor.com®
March 30, 2026 05:46 PM EDT
Move, Inc.
Active rental currently listed at $2200/mo. View 12 photos of this 3 bed, 1.5 bath, 1025 sqft. single family home for rent at 2518 Wayne Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240.
Iowa
New GOP health care tax won't solve Medicaid funding problems
March 30, 2026 02:21 PM EDT
Bleeding Heartland.
Adam Zabner: Republicans massively cut health care in order to lower taxes for their billionaire donors. The cuts are already hurting Iowa.
Kansas
KC Tenants gets new leadership after 7 years of fighting for renters — and reshaping Kansas City
March 31, 2026 12:00 PM EDT
KCUR 89.3 FM.
Longtime KC Tenants organizer Jenay Manley is taking the reins of the tenant rights advocacy organization from founder Tara Raghuveer, who is now focused on tenant issues on the national level. Raghuveer said Kansas City has been at the "vanguard" of this recent movement.
Kentucky
Q&A: How we reported on increasingly unaffordable energy in Kentucky
March 30, 2026 05:01 AM EDT
The Courier-Journal.
Here's how The Courier Journal reported on a ballooning affordability problem: the thousands of Kentuckians falling behind on their energy bills.
Louisiana
Louisiana Department of Health closes UnitedHealthcare Medicaid contract
March 31, 2026 07:00 PM EDT
KTBS Television.
BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Department of Health announced Tuesday that it has closed its Medicaid managed care contract with UnitedHealthcare and reassigned affected members to other participating health
Louisiana
280,000 Louisiana Medicaid recipients moved from UnitedHealthcare coverage
March 31, 2026 06:39 PM EDT
Yahoo! Inc.
Hundreds of thousands of Louisiana Medicaid recipients have been moved to a new health care plan, with most being assigned a new provider, but the Louisiana Department of Health said there is still ti...
Maine
See 3 Maine homes with ADUs on the market
March 31, 2026 11:00 AM EDT
The Portland Press Herald.
A luxury condo in South Portland, a Colonial in Lewiston and a waterfront ranch in West Gardiner offer shared living options across the state.
Maine
Opinion: We studied Maine's health care problems. Here are solutions we support.
March 31, 2026 01:00 AM EDT
the Bangor Daily News
“Fixing health care can seem like a complex and intractable problem, but this work has shown that when people come together, we can find practical solutions that move us in the right direction and make a real impact in people’s lives.”
Maryland
Maryland pushes granny flats as housing pressures mount
March 31, 2026 05:30 AM EDT
The Banner.
Maryland leaders are embracing accessory dwelling units as the cost of living rises and young people flee the state.
Massachusetts
In MA, Doctors' Day becomes rallying point for health care reform
March 31, 2026 04:45 AM EDT
MetroWest Daily News.
Facing federal funding cuts and growing primary care shortages, Massachusetts physicians met with legislators on March 25 at the State House.
Michigan
Fewer Michiganders will be covered by Medicaid in 2028, report says
March 30, 2026 06:40 PM EDT
Michigan Public Radio
Between 171,000 and 355,000 Michiganders are projected to lose Medicaid coverage under new work requirements and more frequent eligibility determinations, according to the Urban Institute.
Minnesota
Minnesota still waiting on $243M Medicaid funds despite federal approval
March 31, 2026 05:59 PM EDT
Minnesota Public Radio News
Minnesota officials announced that the federal government has not yet released $243 million for the state’s Medicaid programs, despite approving a plan to prevent fraud.
Minnesota
House Committee Votes Down Starter Homes Act - League of Minnesota Cities
March 30, 2026 12:09 PM EDT
lmc
The bill failed in committee on a 7-5 roll call vote.
Mississippi
Housing in Mississippi Is Still Affordable Until You Look Closer
March 31, 2026 11:15 AM EDT
The Enterprise Tocsin.
Mississippi is often described as one of the most affordable places to live in America, and on paper, that sounds true. Census data shows the state’s median gross rent is $954, the median value of owner-occupied housing is $169,800, and median monthly owner costs with a mortgage are $1,394.
Missouri
Missouri's Clean Slate Is Closer than Ever - R Street Institute
March 30, 2026 03:34 PM EDT
the R Street Institute
For years, automated record-sealing legislation in Missouri has been a promising idea that could not quite make it over the finish line. This year, that could change. With overwhelming bipartisan support, Missouri’s Clean Slate Act has advanced further than ever before, passing the House with a decisive 140-7 vote and—just last week—being voted out of the...
Missouri
County Property Tax Cap Question Before Voters April 7th - Northwest MO Info
March 30, 2026 12:42 PM EDT
Northwest Missouri Information Network.
All of the Missouri counties in the listening area will have a property tax relief measure which...
Montana
Health care group outlines best practices for Medicaid work requirements rollout
March 30, 2026 08:21 PM EDT
mtpr
Montana health officials say they will roll out new Medicaid work requirements by July, months ahead of the federal deadline. There’s been worry the state is moving too fast and that Montanans who still qualify will lose coverage. The Montana Healthcare Foundation has released a list of actions it says the state can take to avoid that fate.
New Jersey
Some hard truths about New Jersey's affordable housing law that residents need to understand
March 30, 2026 02:42 PM EDT
New Jersey Hills Media Group.
On Monday, March 9, scores of residents packed Town Hall in Morris Township and watched in dismay as their elected officials voted to pass seven affordable housing ordinances in spite
New Mexico
Does Medicaid Cover Detox Treatment in New Mexico? What You Need to Know - TIDEWATER
March 31, 2026 07:57 AM EDT
The Tidewater News.
If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use and you’re on Medicaid, one of the first questions on your mind is probably a practical one: Will insurance actually pay for this? The short answer is yes, Medicaid does cover detox treatment in New Mexico, but the details matter, and knowing them can […]
New York
Rent Stabilization: What's Constitutional, Anyway?
March 31, 2026 03:53 PM EDT
Vital City NYC
How the Supreme Court is likely to think about New York City’s housing regulation regime
New York
What is the average rent in New York? Prices reach all-time highs
March 30, 2026 07:01 AM EDT
Marca.
Rental costs in New York City have surged to unprecedented levels in 2026, intensifying an already severe housing affordability crisis. From Manhattan to Brooklyn, tenants are fa
New York
New bill seeks to preserve Essential Plan coverage for half a million New Yorkers
March 30, 2026 05:30 AM EDT
Crain's New York Business
The legislation is the first solution from lawmakers to preserve coverage for roughly 450,000 expected to lose their insurance in July.
Ohio
Ohio Dems push affordability legislation; critics tout consequences
March 31, 2026 11:54 AM EDT
The Center Square.
(The Center Square) – Ohio House Democrats House recently unveiled a series of legislative proposals on a major issue in this year’s elections both statewide and nationally – affordability.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma House passes bill protecting epilepsy patients from insurance discrimination
March 30, 2026 12:21 PM EDT
KSWO 7 News.
A bill aimed at protecting health insurance rates for those with epilepsy has passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Senate advances maternal health bill expanding Medicaid services
March 30, 2026 12:09 PM EDT
News 9
Senate Bill 1565 would allow Oklahoma to access federal funding to expand nutrition support, improve pregnancy care, and enhance health outcomes for mothers and newborns statewide.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's Aging Housing Stock Is 4th Oldest in the Country
March 31, 2026 01:11 PM EDT
WFMZ-TV
As the spring housing market ramps up, many buyers aren’t just facing high prices and mortgage rates—they’re also inheriting older homes with higher maintenance costs. A new analysis from Construction
South Dakota
South Dakota rolls out plan to reduce infant deaths, support mothers after birth
March 30, 2026 01:15 PM EDT
KTIV Television
South Dakota health officials have released a new five-year strategic plan aimed at improving maternal and infant health outcomes statewide through postpartum care, safe sleep education and improved access to care.
Tennessee
Tennessee biomarker bill could make cancer, chronic illness treatments more personalized
March 31, 2026 05:17 PM EDT
WKRN-TV.
A Tennessee bill that would require health insurance and TennCare to cover biomarker testing, which gives doctors more information about a patient’s genes and disease to help them better dete…
Texas
Thousands of Houston patients urged to check coverage as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Memorial Hermann contract deadline near
March 31, 2026 07:12 AM EDT
KPRC 2 Houston.
Thousands of Houston-area patients with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) insurance may soon need to double-check whether their health plan will cover care at Memorial Hermann facilities, as negotiations continue on a new contract with a looming deadline.
Texas
Federal trial over insufficient AC in Texas prisons starts
March 30, 2026 10:33 PM EDT
The Texas Tribune
The plaintiffs are asking for the entire Texas prison system to be air-conditioned by the end of 2029 in a trial that is expected to last two weeks.
Vermont
NFIB VT Seeks to Eliminate Health Coverage Barriers - NFIB
March 30, 2026 09:57 AM EDT
nfib
Vermont’s health coverage self-insurance rules hurt small business.
Virginia
After man's death following insurance denials, West Virginia tackles prior authorization
March 31, 2026 08:30 PM EDT
NBC News
On Tuesday, the state's Republican governor signed a bill that aims to curb the harms of insurance denials.
Virginia
Spanberger Sign-a-thon: Bills target costs of drugs, housing and energy
March 31, 2026 05:22 PM EDT
WTKR News 3
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a series of bills aiming to push her agenda for an affordable Virginia.
Virginia
As Virginia looks to expand reproductive rights, funding cuts may threaten access
March 31, 2026 08:00 AM EDT
WHRO Public Media
One lawmaker says proposed constitutional protections are “a moot point” if people can’t afford reproductive healthcare.
West Virginia
Mindy Holcomb: Health coverage is shrinking, costs are rising (Opinion)
March 31, 2026 12:00 AM EDT
The Charleston Gazette-Mail
As the Affordable Care Act marked its 16th anniversary on March 23, it’s worth remembering what the law achieved: bringing the number of uninsured West Virginians down to historic lows
Wisconsin
Wisconsin's Aging Housing Stock Is 12th Oldest in the Country
March 31, 2026 01:11 PM EDT
Voice of Alexandria.
As the spring housing market ramps up, many buyers aren’t just facing high prices and mortgage rates—they’re also inheriting older homes with higher maintenance costs. A new analysis from Construction
