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Dear Health Advocates,
We are into the 35th day of the government shutdown, matching the longest in history set during President Trump's first term. Both Democrats and Republicans remain dug-in, though discussions are in early stages on the Hill. Democrats continue to focus on the need to extend the enhanced health care tax credits, and there is not wide agreement on any bipartisan solution. We will continue to monitor and update you as these conversations continue.
On the SNAP front, the Trump Administration said that they would partially fund November benefits, though the payments will be delayed as states implement systems changes. Yet earlier today, President Trump caused confusion by stating on Truth Social [[link removed]] that SNAP benefits would not be paid until the government is re-opened. The disconnect between the President's message and the agency's approach comes on the heels of two federal court rulings on Friday ordering the Administration to pay SNAP benefits by using over $4.5 billion from the agency's contingency fund; this is about half the amount needed to fully fund SNAP benefits for the month. This is an evolving development and only puts critical benefits further out of reach for millions of families.
Open enrollment for ACA Marketplace plans also opened on Saturday, November 1, and millions of Americans are seeing their insurance premiums skyrocket as the premium tax credits still have yet to be renewed. We have resources and ways to engage on these and other fronts this week, which you can find below.
Open Enrollment
Open enrollment for Marketplace plans began this past Saturday, November 1, and Congress still hasn't extended the enhanced premium tax credits, which make coverage more affordable for millions of people. Across the board, Americans have continued to see their health care costs increase this year, regardless of whether they receive a tax credit. Consumers buying health coverage through the ACA may not be able to afford coverage if Congress doesn't extend the enhanced tax credits. For help navigating the enrollment process and advocating for those searching the marketplace for plans, please see our recent blog, Getting Ready for Open Enrollment [[link removed]] , as well as new resources from KFF on their Understanding the Health Insurance Marketplaces [[link removed]] microsite.
SNAP Funding
As mentioned above, while President Trump recently stated that SNAP benefits will be withheld until the government is re-opened, USDA said that partial SNAP payments will be distributed in November from the contingency fund, though these may be delayed due to state system adjustments that are required. Our partners at Center for American Progress have done a tremendous job breaking down [[link removed]] the Trump administrations attacks on food security as a whole and how we got to this point with the SNAP funding crisis. Additionally, the National Association of Social Workers recently published a blog addressing the looming SNAP crisis [[link removed]] , and sent a petition [[link removed]] to President Trump and Congressional leadership to take action and fund SNAP.
If you want to take action, numerous organizations are advocating on this front, including the American Friends Service Committee, who published an explainer [[link removed]] on the SNAP funding shut off, and is urging advocates to take action in this moment [[link removed]] . Our friends at the Food Research and Action Center also have plenty of ways to get involved on their action site [[link removed]] , for both organizations and individuals.
Health Action Conference
The conference will be held from January 22-23 here in Washington, DC at the Capital Hilton. Whether you're a HAC veteran or a first-timer, we hope you can join other dynamic health advocates from across the country to strengthen the movement for health and health care justice.
Find more details and register here [[link removed]] . We also ask that you fill out our pre-conference survey [[link removed]] to help us make HAC even better for advocates like you!
HAC Registration [[link removed]?]
Pre-Conference Survey [[link removed]]
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* Get Involved this Week: Join the Health Care Heist [[link removed]] Week of Action [[link removed]] hosted by Economic Security Project and co-sponsored by dozens of other organizations (including Families USA).
* Take Action: Send an email [[link removed]] to your Senators and Representatives asking them to prioritize affordability in the budget bill!
* Petition: Sign [[link removed]] the petition to [[link removed]] stop the attacks on the Title X Family Planning Program [[link removed]] , Power to Decide.
* Call to Action: Please join Families USA and Tell Your Members of Congress: Health Care Cuts Are Unacceptable: Email Writing Campaign [[link removed]]
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* NEW! Blog: A Ticking Clock: How States Are Preparing for a Last-Minute Obamacare Deal [[link removed]] , KFF.
* NEW! Report: How Private Equity and the Financialization of Health Services Can Undermine Access to Sexual and Reproductive Care [[link removed]] , CAP.
* NEW! Insights Blog: Getting Ready for Open Enrollment [[link removed]] , Families USA.
* UPDATED! Fact Sheets: The Importance of Premium Tax Credits: Affording Health Insurance Coast to Coast [[link removed]] , Families USA.
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* THIS WEEK! Rally for the Public's Health * Please join the American Public Health Association and partners on the National Mall on Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 2:30-4 p.m. to rally for critical public health issues and initiatives. Whether you’re visiting Washington, D.C. for the Annual Meeting or you are a local public health advocate, this rally is for you. Join us, foster your network of public health peers and speak up for public health! Find more information here [[link removed]] .


* THIS THURSDAY! Webinar on Threats to Health and Hunger During the Shutdown and Beyond * Join the Coalition on Human Needs this Thursday, November 6 at 4:00 pm ET, for a timely webinar examining how the ongoing shutdown is threatening essential services and supports for low-income individuals and families. You will also learn more about how to best communicate about this moment with your community. Register here. [[link removed]]


* Advocates Meeting: Wednesday Advocates Meeting Zoom call [[link removed]] , Coalition on Human Needs hosting every Wednesday at 9:30 AM ET.
* Shared Advocacy Calendar: Coalition on Human Needs [[link removed]] . Check out weeks of action and upcoming events
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National Resources
* Blog: Reducing or Eliminating the Title X Family Planning Program Would Restrict Contraceptive Access Nationwide [[link removed]] , Commonwealth Fund.
* Blog: 300,000 Lawfully Present Immigrants Will Be Newly Ineligible for Health Care Help in This Open Enrollment Period [[link removed]] , NILC.
* Insights Blog: Smoke and Mirrors vs. Policy and Meaningful Change: What’s Real and What’s Political Theater in the Fight for Lower Prescription Drug Prices [[link removed]] , Families USA.
* Insights Blog: Sowing Distrust and Dismantling Science: Escalating Threats to Vaccine Access [[link removed]] , Families USA.
* Insights Blog: What the Government Shutdown Debate is Really About: Health Care Tax Credits for Working Class Americans [[link removed]] , Families USA.


* Fact Sheet: Fact Checking Immigrants, Health Care, and the 2025 Tax and Budget Law [[link removed]] , Families USA.


* Insights Blog: Vulnerable, Working Class Americans will be Hardest Hit if Congress Lets Premium Tax Credits Expire [[link removed]] , Families USA.
* Report: TANF Is a Vital Resource for People Facing Hardship but Needs to Reach More Families [[link removed]] , CBPP.


* Press Release: New Data Shows Need for Immediate Action from Congress to Extend Enhanced Premium Tax Credits [[link removed]] , Families USA.
* Video: 90 Seconds or Less Policy Explainers. [[link removed]] Families USA.


State Resources
* Fact Sheet: State Strategies for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) [[link removed]] , Milbank Memorial Fund.
* Toolkit: Work Reporting Requirements: State Considerations When Defining Medical Frailty [[link removed]] , State Health and Value Strategies .
* Interactive Map: Tracking State Preparation for the Rural Health Transformation Program [[link removed]] , State Health & Value Strategies.
* Article: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act Will Increase the Number of Americans Without Health Coverage in Every State and Congressional District, [[link removed]] Center for American Progress.
Medicaid
* Policy Brief: Medicaid: A Lifeline for Latines and Immigrants [[link removed]] , National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice.


* Analysis: Medicaid Expansion Reduces Maternal Mortality: Medicaid Cuts Would Be Deadly for Mothers and Babies [[link removed]] , Families USA.
* Fact Sheet: Fact Sheet: Republicans Are Working to Gut Medicaid, a Lifeline for People With Mental Health Conditions and Opioid Addiction [[link removed]] , Protect Our Care.


* Insights Blog: Work Reporting Requirements Don’t Work: An in-depth look as Idaho moves closer to adding costly red tape to Medicaid, [[link removed]] Families USA.


Other Resources
Media Coverage of Families USA and State Partners Advocacy Work
* * New Hampshire Union Leader: Congress must act or health insurance premiums will spike (Samuel Burgess) [[link removed]]
* Concord Monitor: Opinion: Granite Staters face premium shock without congressional action [[link removed]]
* New Hampshire News Leader: Cancer survivors' stories inspire Shaheen to lead tax credit fight [[link removed]]
* News Center Maine (coverage of Health Care for Maine’s annual conference) – While Mainers face rising health care costs, leaders gather to find solutions [[link removed]]


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Have a great week,
Nate Keller
Senior Associate, Organizing and Mobilization
Families USA
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