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Republicans Warned: Protect Health Credits or Pay Politically

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Republican lawmakers are facing growing pressure from advocacy groups, constituents, and even some within their ranks to preserve critical healthcare tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Published

1 year ago

June 5, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

Republican lawmakers are facing growing pressure from advocacy groups, constituents, and even some within their ranks to preserve critical healthcare tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which are set to expire at the end of the year. But as the GOP weighs action, many appear more concerned about the political consequences of defying President Donald Trump—who continues to call for dismantling the ACA—than they are about the millions of Americans who stand to lose affordable coverage. Keep Americans Covered (KAC), a coalition of healthcare advocates has launched a sweeping seven-figure ad campaign targeting lawmakers in 12 states, including those represented by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-SD). The effort features real Americans, including Jessica, a restaurant manager and cancer survivor from Arizona whose 10-year-old daughter lives with Type 1 diabetes. “We were living a perfectly normal life, and we suddenly had a child that had a chronic illness,” Jessica says in the ad. “We’re not wealthy. Money can get tight… we need Congress to take action now. It’s vital for us. We need these healthcare tax credits passed today”.

The ad comes as the Senate prepares to take up a tax bill passed by the House that would allow the ACA tax credits to lapse—putting more than 20 million Americans at risk of skyrocketing premiums or losing coverage altogether. According to a new analysis by the National Academy for State Health Policy, the expiration of the credits would hit family budgets hard. In North Carolina, a 64-year-old couple earning $82,800 would see their annual premiums rise by more than $18,000. A family of four in Florida earning $93,000 would face a 66% increase, or $ 61,920 more per year. “These aren’t hypothetical scenarios. They are real numbers for real people,” a KAC report warned. “The cost of doing nothing is real too. If this support is allowed to lapse, many families will be forced to make impossible choices: Do they pay their premium or their rent?” The consequences would also ripple through the economy. More than 4 million small business owners who purchase their coverage rely on these tax credits. Without them, many may have to slash jobs, halt expansion, or close entirely. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” a KAC ad states. “But without affordable health coverage, many won’t survive. What will they cut to stay insured?” The political stakes are also mounting. A nationwide poll conducted for KAC shows that 72% of voters—including 63% of Republicans—support extending the tax credits. More than two-thirds of voters in battleground House districts said it is important to them that Congress act and nearly half said they would be less likely to support lawmakers who oppose the extension.

Despite this, partisan divides remain. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), facing re-election in 2026, has called for a bipartisan solution. “We should start thinking about a stream of bipartisan bills that we can work on,” he said. However, others, such as Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), have echoed Trump’s criticisms of the ACA, claiming it contributes to the national deficit. “There’s been a facade out there about the entire program actually paying for itself,” Rounds said. Health policy leaders are warning that the timing is critical. Premiums for 2026 are already being finalized. “Congress can’t afford to wait until the last minute,” the KAC report states. “Coverage decisions are being made now. Families need clarity—and relief.” The coalition behind Keep Americans Covered includes AARP, cancer advocacy organizations, and national groups representing doctors, hospitals, and health insurers. They say the choice before Congress is clear: extend the tax credits or force working families, entrepreneurs, and the chronically ill into financial and medical crises. “The Senate and President Trump still have time to prevent this crisis,” KAC said in a recent statement. “But not much. They must act quickly to protect the marketplace, extend the health care tax credit, and support working people in America.”

Stacy M. Brown

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Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

By Jana Lang Propel Youth Reporter

Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA) and Youth Alive! came together on Aug. 21 to share with their community all that Black August means to them.

Held on EOBA’s patio at 816 98th Ave. in Deep East Oakland, the two organizations hosted their second annual Black August Experience, featuring a food tasting, financial literacy and mindfulness workshops, and voter registration with the League of Women Voters Oakland (LWV).

Black August is known as a time to uphold the legacy of prisoners who protested their conditions by fasting, fighting, and educating themselves on the economic and political circumstances that contributed to their incarceration.

According to its website, “EOBA is a multi-service youth and community development hub that goes far beyond the ring. While rooted in the discipline of boxing, for nearly 40 years EOBA has also integrated robust programs in workforce development, food justice, afterschool enrichment, financial literacy, mentorship, and wellness.”.

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”

Through Coro California, another leadership organization serving young people across the state for 80 years, they gained a broader understanding of Black August.

EOBA Executive Director Dawna Williams spoke about how much she learned about Black August from the youth who created it. “I let them educate me,” she said. Instead of talking about prison reform and mass incarceration, Williams and youth interns found that Black August meant so much more. “We would have done a disservice if we had just focused on who the people were and what their situation was…We tried to take their message from back in the day and make it relevant to the young people today. What do they need to know?”

Youth interns created and placed posters around the patio to help participants understand how traditional Black foodways, civic engagement, financial literacy, and the power of education are relevant to Black resistance today.

An EOBA member described Black August with Youth ALIVE! as “a whole vibe. “This year we added the Fun Zone for the kids, because you really cannot go wrong with a Fun Zone. I also loved seeing everyone chillin’ in the outdoor lounge, catching some Vitamin D and just enjoying a Friday evening together.”

The food tasting, a popular event from last year, featured traditional Black foods such as black-eyed peas, johnny cakes, and fried chicken. Led by Williams, the tasting included a talk about how these traditional foods were made and why they are forms of Black resilience.

The “‘Plate of History’ was a favorite of the online writers. “Fun, educational, and did I mention delicious? Our Taste of History cook, Angela Southall, served up some good eats while connecting food to history and culture.”

The writer also commended the “League of Women Voters Oakland for their civic leadership and for getting our young people informed, ready, and registered to vote.”

Overall, it was a “good Friday event in East Oakland,” the writer said.

Upcoming Black August events: Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), will host “Black August: The Arc of Liberation” at Oakland City Hall on Sat. Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The websites for East Oakland Boxing Association, Youth Alive! and CORO are sources for this report.

Jana Lang is an Oakland resident, teacher, gardener and poet participating in the Propel News Initiative.

The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Oakland Post

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EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts

Is your home EV charging setup ready? Dealerships may not warn you about critical outlet and circuit needs. Find out before you plug in!
The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Dealerships won’t tell you: charging this big battery at home isn’t always simple. Verify your outlet capacity, circuit, and setup before assuming level one or basic outdoor outlets will suffice.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/A9Cd2SspoaQ

#AutoNetwork

The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts

Don’t get tricked at the dealership! Learn essential car buying secrets to secure the best deal and avoid hidden traps.
The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Before stepping into a dealership, secure bank pre-approval for your financing rate. Then, get the out-the-door price in writing. Never discuss monthly payments until that number is fixed. Test road noise and rear visibility yourself. Decline add-ons with a simple ‘Not today’. Check backseat space with your tallest household member.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/maAOBjO1puY

#AutoNetwork

The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.