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Trump Rollbacks Put Mental Health Coverage at Risk Nationwide

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Millions of Americans are facing steeper barriers to mental health care as the Trump administration dismantles protections designed to hold insurers accountable.

Published

1 year ago

August 21, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

Millions of Americans are facing steeper barriers to mental health care as the Trump administration dismantles protections designed to hold insurers accountable. According to ProPublica, just months into his second term, the administration paused Biden-era rules that required insurers to disclose how they restrict or deny mental health claims. The suspension, combined with funding cuts to the federal agency that enforces mental health parity, has left patients vulnerable to denials, delays, and rising medical bills.

The timing is especially troubling. According to the 2024 Senior Report, drug deaths among U.S. adults 65 and older surged in recent years, with the District of Columbia experiencing a 120 percent increase between 2017-2019 and 2020-2022. The same report found that Black seniors across the country are more than four times as likely to die prematurely as their white peers. These outcomes point to the urgent need for accountability in coverage — precisely what federal regulators are now retreating from.

Oversight is rapidly shrinking. Various reports note that the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the Labor Department agency responsible for enforcing parity laws, is expected to lose nearly 20 percent of its workforce, dropping from 831 employees in 2024 to fewer than 700 by 2026. The investigative staff alone has already been cut by almost 40 percent in some regions, forcing remaining investigators to juggle overwhelming caseloads and leaving families waiting longer for relief.

For many, the results are devastating. ProPublica detailed the case of a Massachusetts family whose teenage daughter developed self-harm behaviors and severe anorexia during the pandemic. Their insurer denied coverage for residential treatment, leaving the family with more than $80,000 in bills. Only after a long battle and intervention from an EBSA investigator did the insurer agree to repay most of the cost. With fewer investigators and weaker rules, similar families may not get help.

Researchers noted that local initiatives continue to show what is possible. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield previously reported that it has invested nearly $8 million into behavioral health grants across Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. In the program’s first year, more than 3,300 youth were screened for unmet behavioral health needs, and thousands received clinical or peer support. CareFirst also says it funded the training and licensing of dozens of new providers to address shortages. Still, such community-driven programs, while impactful, cannot replace national oversight.

The rollback of mental health protections is part of a continuing trend. With all his devastating policies that come right out of the Project 2025 playbook, Trump has moved to unwind several Biden-era initiatives across health care, energy, and education. In mental health specifically, advocates warn that the administration’s actions have effectively gutted the strongest provisions of the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which was designed to guarantee equal treatment for mental and physical health care.

The consequences are already visible in communities nationwide. According to the 2024 Senior Report, racial and economic disparities in mortality, drug deaths, and housing insecurity continue to grow. Without federal enforcement to guarantee coverage, those inequities are likely to deepen. “The expectation was that these rules would be incredibly significant in driving better compliance,” former EBSA deputy Ali Khawar told ProPublica. “So now that it is on hold, it is a significant benefit that will never be realized.”

Stacy M. Brown

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NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found Darius Cooper with nine seconds left for the game winning touchdown as his team beat the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville. Hurts finished the day 26/37 for 264 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 […]
The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

6 days ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 yards. During the final drive Hurts went 6-8 with 61 passing yards and the touchdown. Titans defensive tackle — and team captain — Jeffery Simmons said this week that the way to defend Jalen Hurts is to make him “play quarterback.”

Hurts said to Simmons after today’s game: “You started that sh**. I had to finish it.”

Running back Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger in the first half but he ultimately finished the game. He had four carries and nine yards and one catch for eleven yards. He will get an MRI for his injury, but admitted to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network he was fine.

Caleb Williams leaves game against Vikings with apparent lower-body injury

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was helped off the field with a right leg injury with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams was down, writhing in pain after scrambling to his left. After departing the injury tent, Williams raised his right fist, acknowledging the crowd while expressing his frustration. Testing will commence on Monday to find out more details about his injury.

“We’ll know tomorrow,” Johnson admitted regarding Williams’ injury. “He’s in good spirits. He’s a team player.”

Williams finished the day with 138 passing yards and one interception.

“I’m actually happy it’s nothing with the knee — that was my first inclination,” Johnson said. “But, a hamstring could be pretty damaging as well. So, we’ll see. We’ll see how bad it is tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

Bryce Young once again dominated the Falcons

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is 5-1 against the Atlanta Falcons and is undefeated at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Today, Young threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns as he led the Panthers to a 34-3 dismembering of the Atlanta Falcons. Georgia Tech alumnus Darren Waller caught two touchdowns and linebacker Devin Lloyd returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.

Cooper Rush started his second straight game for the Falcons and it did not go well. The partisan crowd voiced their displeasure after Rush completed 10/17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. Jack Strand entered the game for Rush prompting cheers from the Falcons fans. The rookie threw a pick-six on his first career pass attempt. Strand was the first QB to accomplish that feat since Sam Darnold in 2018 and is the first Falcons player to do that since Brett Favre in 1991. Strand finished the day with 59 passing yards and 16 rushing yards.

According to reports, quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. is expected to make his season debut this Thursday at the Green Bay Packers. His return should help the Falcons. They are the first team since the 2008 Rams to not run any plays in the red zone after the first two games to open a season.

The bright spots for the Falcons today were the Spelman College Jaguarettes performing with the Falcons cheerleaders and Florida A&M’s marching band, The Marching 100, also performed during halftime!

Jayden Daniels gets carted off after apparent arm injury

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels appeared to injure his left elbow on the final play of the first half in his game against the Dallas Cowboys. During the play, Daniels got stepped on, braced himself for the fall, and his elbow bent the wrong way. Daniels draped a towel over his head as he exited the field on the cart.

He was later ruled out.

Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow to the same arm during week nine of last season against the Washington Commanders, which led to him being shut down for the remainder of the season.

The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win

Master the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework with Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt. Learn every stage, tactic, and win!
The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

6 days ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Negotiation framework stages, tactics, and winning strategies from AutoNetwork

Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt deliver the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework in Episode 8 of The Color of Our Money Is Green. This episode covers the three foundations of every effective negotiation, the full seven-stage negotiation sequence with exact language for every stage, and five of the most common dealership tactics with the specific response each one requires.
What You Learn in This Episode:
The three foundations that make every negotiation tactic work
The complete seven-stage car-buying negotiation sequence
Exact language for every stage of the dealership conversation
Five common dealership tactics — the turnover, the four-square, the packed payment, spot delivery, and forced add-ons — and how to counter each one
Why signing preliminary paperwork isn’t the same as signing the final contract
___________________________________________________________________
“The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost” — stan.store/RGist
____________________________________________________________________
AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.

How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost

AutoNetwork.com
CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.

The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts

Stay toasty in the CX-90! Plush Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats, and a memory-equipped heated steering wheel deliver ultimate luxury.
The post Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

6 days ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Mazda CX-90 interior with heated seats offering premium comfort.

Experience ultimate comfort in the CX-90. Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats, 8-way power adjustments, and memory settings for both front passengers. The heated steering wheel with memory tilt/telescope adds premium convenience.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/EH5A4eQ4ipY