Dear Health Advocates,

This week, Congress continues to work through negotiations on DHS funding and reforms for ICE and CBP prior to its Friday funding deadline. If needed, they could pass a stopgap measure — a short-term continuing resolution to fund DHS. Also, recall that H.R. 1 already included roughly $75 billion in new funding for ICE, though the country would begin to feel the impact of a shutdown on other agencies like TSA.

Today, CLASP, Families USA, and over 430 other national, state, and local organizations joined onto a letter sent to Congressional leadership urging Congress to establish meaningful oversight and accountability for the harmful and abusive immigration enforcement actions taking place across the country. The letter highlights the protections included in the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act as just one of the important policies Congress must enact to protect children, families, and providers. You can see the letter text here.

Newly Launched! Stop the Bleed: Cut Costs, Not Care

As we have heard from so many Americans across the country, health care costs are way too high. Premiums have skyrocketed because the enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025, and corporate greed is at the root of skyrocketing health care costs.

As part of our continuing drumbeat around affordability, Families USA launched a new campaign: Stop the Bleed: Cut Costs, Not Care! The goal of the campaign is to get candidates running for office in 2026 to commit to bringing down the cost of health care. Stop the Bleed will activate Families USA partners and advocates across the country to join us in engaging candidates in this effort.

To make this campaign launch official, Families USA will be hosting a Stop the Bleed campaign launch call this Wednesday, February 11 at 3 PM ET, where you will hear about our plan to hold candidates for office across the country accountable in this year’s elections, and how you can get involved by asking them one simple question: What will you do to hold health care corporations accountable for high health costs? Register here!

You can find resources and ways to take action on our brand new campaign page, Stop the Bleed: Cut Costs, Not Care, and check out our campaign launch here.

Email Writing Campaign: Tell you members to pass an extension of the ACA premium tax credits and make health insurance more affordable for tens of millions of people! Coalition on Human Needs.

NEW! Issue Brief: Protect Medicare’s Future: Hold Medicare Advantage Insurance Companies Accountable for Rising Health Care Costs, Families USA.
NEW! Insights Blog: The Program That’s Actually Lowering Drug Prices, Families USA.
NEW! Blog: People Who Rely on the ACA Marketplaces Face Mounting Affordability Challenges, CBPP.
NEW! Policy Brief: The Affordable Care Act and Affordability on the Line: What Congressional Inaction Means for Care, Caring Across Generations.
NEW! Insights Blog: Stop the Attacks on Our Communities, Including Our Health, Families USA.

THIS WEEK! Stop the Bleed Campaign Launch Call on February 11 at 3 PM ET
- Health care costs are out of control. Families are forced to make impossible choices between basic needs and getting the care they need. For too long, Congress has failed to address the root cause of skyrocketing health care costs: runaway corporate greed. It stops now. Join Families USA's campaign launch call to hear about our plan to hold candidates for office across the country accountable in this year’s elections, and how you can get involved by asking them one simple question: What will you do to hold health care corporations accountable for high health costs? Register here!
NEXT WEEK! Preparing Consumers for Changes to Medicaid
- On Thursday, February 19 at 1 PM ET, State Health and Value Strategies will host a webinar on communicating the new work reporting requirements under H.R.1. This federal mandate marks a major shift in how Medicaid operates and how consumers access and maintain their coverage. While a major undertaking, a robust communications and outreach strategy can help states protect coverage for eligible enrollees and support broader operations as they roll out these new requirements. Register here.
Advocates Meeting: Wednesday Advocates Meeting Zoom call, Coalition on Human Needs hosting every Wednesday at 9:30 AM ET.
Shared Advocacy Calendar: Coalition on Human Needs. Check out weeks of action and upcoming events