On Wednesday, June 12, 2024, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing, “Youth Residential Treatment Facilities: Examining Failures and Evaluating Solutions.” Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) opened the hearing by announcing the publication of a report, Warehouses of Neglect: How Taxpayers are Funding Systemic Abuse in Youth Residential Treatment Facilities. The Senate Finance Committee and Senate
On June 12, 2024, the Senate Judiciary Committee convened for a hearing on combatting the youth vaping epidemic by enhancing enforcement against illegal e-cigarettes. Committee Chair, Senator Dick Durbin (D- IL), noted an alarming level of youth using e-cigarettes and the failure of federal agencies to protect children from the addiction associated with use. A
An analysis from the National Partnership for Women and Families reveals a disconnect between the increasing costs of care and the stagnating wages of paid caregivers. Despite the crucial work caregivers do, their undervaluation forces many women out of the workforce. Key findings in the analysis show that though care workers saw a wage increase
The Trevor Project released its 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, which amplifies the experiences of more than 18,000 LGBTQ+ young people ages 13 to 24 across the United States. The survey finds: 39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year — including 46%
On May 10th, 2024, the House Ways and Means Committee held a Field Hearing on “Empowering Native American and Rural Communities,” in Arizona, the first Ways and Means Committee hearing ever to be held on sovereign Tribal land. Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) opened the hearing and outlined the issues being discussed, particularly child support, child
On May 1, 2024, House Agriculture Chairman G.T. Thompson (R-PA) unveiled an initial summary of the House Republican Farm bill, which encompasses important nutrition programs. A follow-up summary with additional detail was released on May 10th, providing more specific information about the various titles. Legislative text has not been released but is expected sometime this
On May 3, 2024, the Senate HELP Committee hosted a hearing entitled, “What can Congress do to address the severe shortage of minority health care professionals and the maternal health crisis?” Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) stated that the US health-care system is inefficient and ineffective. The US spends twice as much per capita on healthcare
In January, the online news platform, Axios, published a brief article highlighting the impacts that current economic and staffing challenges have had on rural hospitals across the United States. The issues faced by the healthcare institutions have led many located outside of city areas to begin to reduce their maternity services for expectant mothers and
On Thursday, February 1, 2024, the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) hosted a webinar entitled Taking a Fresh Look at Summer Meals. The organization emphasized the overall importance of these nutritional programs for children, which support youth physical and mental well-being and development. Students have the opportunity to obtain nutritious meals during the summer,
On November 28, 2023, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing entitled, “The Gun Violence Epidemic: A Public Health Crisis.” Chairman Dick Durbin [D-IL] referred to gun violence as a public health epidemic and highlighted impact of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, passed in 2022, that implemented several changes to mental health systems,
