The coronavirus pandemic has shone on spotlight on the cracks in our health care, housing and social safety net policies, but state legislators are...

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** Without Further Action, A Housing Crisis Looms
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Like so many aspects of our society and social safety net, the coronavirus outbreak has revealed the tenuous state of many Americans’ access to housing. On April 1st, mere days after the coronavirus shut down many businesses in the U.S. and caused mass layoffs or furloughs, nearly one third of renters were unable to pay their rent ([link removed]) . Many states have put in place moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures (tracked by NLIHC here ([link removed]) ), but a looming crisis awaits: the potential for mass evictions the day the moratoriums end, leaving a shocking number of people without a place to live. Advocates have pressed for rent freezes
([link removed]) to avoid such catastrophe.


** State Legislators Fight for Race Data in COVID Cases
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As reports of racial disparities in coronavirus cases started to surface, state legislators in Maryland ([link removed]) , Colorado ([link removed]) , Texas ([link removed]) , Ohio ([link removed]) and others are pushing for information: race data of those diagnosed with COVID-19. Other states like Illinois are responding to the disparities by increasing testing in Black communities ([link removed]) and issuing guidance on providing health care equitably and ethically. The data we
have seen shows that COVID-19 and the resulting economic crisis exacerbates existing inequities and is disproportionately harming and killing Black Americans and people of color. The policy response must address those inequities: in health care, housing, workers rights, and more.


** Our Food Supply Chain and Protecting Farmworkers
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Even as farmers areforced to discard fresh milk and produce ([link removed]) , many American families are facing increased food insecurity ([link removed]) . The pandemic has challenged our food supply chain in new ways. Across the nation, we are seeing higher food waste, differing consumer needs ([link removed]) , and farmworkers facing very serious risks of getting sick ([link removed]) . The supply chain is already facing disruptions as workers at food plants
([link removed]≷=US&ceid=US%3Aen) fall ill. Despite the crucial role they play in keeping America fed, farm workers have not been granted enough protections ([link removed]) and in fact, the White House is seeking to lower their pay ([link removed]) . With undocumented farmworkers at even
higherrisk ([link removed]) , protecting food workers is more important than ever.


** Seeking Democracy During a Pandemic
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The Wisconsin primaries earlier this month forced voters to make the unbearable choice ([link removed]) between abiding by social distancing rules and voting. Between condensed poll locations (because of poll workers quitting en masse ([link removed]) ), undelivered ballots ([link removed]) , and fear of the virus’s spread ([link removed]) , the Wisconsin primary exemplified the importance of properly preparing for elections during the pandemic—and the importance of postponing primaries if states need more time to prepare. For SiX’s guidance on adapting electoral systems without compromising security during
the pandemic and switching to remote (but transparent!) governance ([link removed]) , visit the SiX coronavirus resource page ([link removed]) .


** Access to Health Care Still a Major Hurdle
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What were once cracks in our health care systems are now gaping holes ([link removed]) , as people are laid off and lose their employer-based health insurance. There’s a renewed call ([link removed]) for Medicaid expansion in states that haven’t yet taken advantage of the opportunity to get as many people covered as possible, like in the South, where Black Americans make up greater proportions of the population ([link removed]) . People of color also have less access to health care and experience worse treatment and outcomes ([link removed]) , laying the foundation for a crisis within the crisis. Meanwhile,
residents in rural areas face another challenge to access: long-term disinvestment in rural hospitals ([link removed]) .


** We Could All Use a Little Good News These Days
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Legislators in the SiX network are standing up and serving their communities in ways that go beyond passing good, progressive legislation. Watch this short video ([link removed]) to see the many ways in which legislators are leading—from finding creative ways to encourage constituents to stay home to putting on their PPE and treating patients within the health care system. Thank you ([link removed]) to all the legislators, in and out of session, who are working to keep your communities and constituents safe.


** How We Are Celebrating Black Maternal Health Week 2020
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SiX is proud to partner with the Black Mamas Matter Alliance on Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), a week of education and advocacy around the experiences of Black Mamas. Through a series of digital and community events ([link removed]) , BMHW uplifted Black-women led entities to focus on the root causes of poor maternal health outcomes and highlighted Black voices ([link removed]) to drive conversation around tangible community-driven policy, programs, and solutions ([link removed]) .


** Lawmakers Exploit Pandemic to Ban Essential Health Care
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SiX’s own Kelly Baden, VP of Reproductive Rights, pens an op-ed in Swaay ([link removed]) . Conservative legislators across the country are using the pandemic as an opportunity to ban abortion, calling it “non-essential” and other nonsensical claims. “Pushing for abortion restrictions at a time like this isn't about healthcare, PPE, or even safety. It is a purposeful and manipulative political agenda that will make things even harder at a time when we can all agree things are hard enough.”

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The State Innovation Exchange (SiX) is a national resource and strategy center that supports state legislators who seek to strengthen our democracy, fight for working families, defend civil rights and liberties, and protect the environment. We do this by providing training, emphasizing leadership development, amplifying legislators’ voices, and forging strategic alliances between our legislative network and grassroots movements.

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