Advanced Leadership Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Executive Leadership Academy Cohort

by Daniel Johnson

January 28, 2024

Advanced Leadership Institute And Carnegie Mellon University Unveil 2024 Executive Leadership Academy Cohort

This program is exclusively for Black executives and managers.

The Advanced Leadership Institute introduced its sixth annual Executive Leadership Academy Cohort as part of its 2024 Executive Leadership Academy Kick-Off Program and Reception on Jan. 26 at Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business.

As TribLive reports, Carnegie Mellon University created the program in conjunction with the institute to create an incubation space for Black leadership in Pittsburgh. The president/CEO of the Advanced Leadership Institute, Evan Frazier, told the outlet that he views it as a celebration of progress.

“Letting the leaders in the room and across the region know that there is support here in the community, and we are really counting on them to grow and move to do great things in Pittsburgh,” Frazier noted. “I’ve seen shifts in people being more connected within Pittsburgh, a greater sense of belonging. And in the past, people felt so isolated. It makes such a difference when you know there are other leaders like yourself, diverse leaders, Black leaders that are out there, doing great things,” Frazier said, “and there are also others out there that might have the same struggles. The empowerment of being able to know and build relationships and have that level of support is amazing.”

In a press release, Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou, a dean and the Richard P. Simmons Professor of Finance at Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business, emphasized the university‘s excitement at continuing to assist in the growth of Pittsburgh’s Black leadership. “We are honored to serve as TALI’s academic partner. The past six years have been very gratifying for us as we play a pivotal role in enhancing the leadership skills of TALI’s program participants,” said Bajeux-Besnainou. “I’m looking forward to this sixth year and have no doubt that the 2024 Executive Leadership Academy cohort will learn transformational strategies to impact their personal and professional development.”

The university describes the program’s aim: “The Advanced Leadership Institute has a vision to dramatically improve the regional presence of African Americans in executive leadership roles, helping to create a more diverse, inclusive, and prosperous community.”

The program also does not hide the fact that this program is exclusively for Black executives and managers. Several sections on its website, including a bold header at the top, proclaim the program’s intentions: “Our programs support Black professionals at various levels of leadership.”

According to the press release, the Advanced Leadership Institute seeks to “cultivate Black executive leadership to strengthen companies, institutions, and communities.”

In addition to the educational partnership of Carnegie Mellon University, the program is supported by a multitude of corporate sponsors and stakeholders, including: BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Highmark Foundation, and Richard King Mellon Foundation; the Henry L. Hillman Foundation and Highmark, BNY Mellon, Eden Hall Foundation, and The Heinz Endowments; Giant Eagle, Highmark Health, PNC, and UPMC; American Eagle Outfitters, Bank of America, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, CNX, Covestro, Dollar Bank, Duquesne Light Company, FedEx Ground, FHLBank Pittsburgh, Golub Capital, Koppers, PPG, and Wabtec Corporation and the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity and Inclusion Coalition.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 28, 2024

Colman Domingo Set To Portray Two Iconic Figures In Upcoming Biopics

The Best Actor Oscar nominee will play the roles of Michael Jackson's father and Nat King Cole.

If you haven’t heard of or seen actor Colman Domingo, chances are you will see a lot of him in the near future.

According to Variety, he is about to portray not one but two legendary men in two upcoming biopics. We’re about to see Domingo as the patriarch of the Jackson family, Joe Jackson, in Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua. The movie will focus on the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson.

“I’m excited to be a part of a film that explores both the complicated soul of the legendary Michael Jackson as well as his impact on music and culture as a global icon,” said Domingo. “Not only am I fortunate to have a rich, complex, and flawed character to portray in Joe Jackson, but I also have a front-row seat for Jaafar’s incredible transformation.”

Domingo was referring to Michael’s nephew Jaafar Jackson (son of Jermaine Jackson), who will be portraying the musical icon in the film.

The actor also has a role we hope will be “Unforgettable”: portraying Nat King Cole in a project in which he will also be making his directorial debut. He revealed the tidbit while appearing on the media outlet’s “Variety Awards Circuit Podcast.”

“I’ve been working on it quietly for a few years. It’s something I’m looking forward to putting together with some great partners,” he said.

Domingo previously co-wrote the play “Lights Out: Nat ‘King’ Cole” with Patricia McGregor and also tackled the role of the music icon at Los Angeles’ Geffen Playhouse.

These news items come after it was revealed that the actor was nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award for portraying yet another important figure in civil rights: Bayard Rustin, in the Netflix movie Rustin. Domingo has also received Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critics Choice, and SAG nominations for his work. He recently played “Mister” in the movie musical The Color Purple.

African American Mayors Association, Affordable Connectivity Program Funding, Internet

by Lauren Nutall

January 28, 2024

The African American Mayors Association Urges Extension Of Affordable Connectivity Program Funding

The organization is requesting that Congress continue funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program.

The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) has urged congressional leaders to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides high-speed internet service to low-income households nationwide. The coalition issued a statement on Jan. 25.

“We need Congress to act now to extend the ACP,” the letter reads. “If Congress does not act, ACP funding will be exhausted by this April, leaving millions of students and families without access to the Internet. The ACP empowers low-income communities. Access to broadband equips low-income families to compete for better-paying jobs, take advantage of remote work, and more. It is particularly important for communities of color, who have historically been left behind in the digital revolution.”

AAMA President and Mount Vernon, NY, Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, spoke about the importance of the ACP on the association’s site. “In today’s interconnected world, affordable high-speed internet is as essential as electricity was a century ago,” she said. “It is the gateway, a vital bridge to the resources that shape our lives – education, healthcare, and economic growth. For millions, particularly in our Black and brown communities, the ACP is not just a program but a promise of opportunity. As its funding teeters on the edge, we stand together as mayors, calling on Congress with urgency and resolve to renew and sustain this fundamental pillar of a modern society.”

The AAMA seeks an additional $7 billion to ensure the program’s continuation.

Since its inception, the ACP has afforded high-speed internet access to more than 20 million low-income families and has positively impacted the lives of communities of color disproportionately affected by these conditions. According to Get Internet, for an individual to qualify for the program, they or their child must be enrolled in a government program such as Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, etc. Eligibility is also determined by household income.

For more information, visit fcc.gov.

Florida, prescriptions, hacking, multistate

by Daniel Johnson

January 28, 2024

Florida Man Accused Of Massive Prescription Scheme In Multistate Operation

Devin Magarian, 21, is accused of masterminding a scheme to prescribe thousands of prescriptions for controlled substances by hacking a portal used by doctors.

A 21-year-old Florida man is accused of masterminding a scheme to prescribe thousands of prescriptions for controlled substances by hacking a portal used by doctors. As Patch reports, Nassau County, New York, authorities say the scope of Devin Magarian’s operation supersedes any they have previously seen. Though from Florida, Magarian was arrested in New York.

“This is one the most complex and technologically sophisticated drug operations we’ve ever witnessed,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly told Patch. “We learned that Devin Anthony Magarian and his associates are part of a wide-ranging conspiracy in which they surreptitiously commandeered the e-prescribing credentials of doctors. The defendant and his associates then used those compromised accounts to issue and fill tens of thousands of prescriptions for narcotics and other controlled substances in Nassau County and multiple states.”

According to prosecutors, Magarian’s scheme compromised the e-prescribing logins of doctors across the United States. They allege that he primarily used the platforms to issue fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone, a highly addictive pain reliever, as well as promethazine with codeine, a cough syrup typically combined with soft drinks to create the recreational drug drink “lean.”

Magarian is accused of using runners to pick up the prescriptions in multiple states, using fake names, and targeting both chain and small pharmacies. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. The Associated Press reports that he is facing 19 criminal charges, which include illegally selling a controlled substance and illegally diverting prescription medication.

Magarian’s attorney, Douglas Rankin, sent an email to the AP stating his confidence in his client. “My client is 21 years old with no criminal record,” Rankin wrote. “This is a rush to judgment, and I fully expect that my client will be fully exonerated.”

Authorities accused Magarian and his associates of “living a lavish lifestyle” using the scheme to pay for courtside seats at NBA games, luxury cars, trips to strip clubs, and often going out to steakhouses.

After a Long Island, New York, pharmacist tipped off law enforcement about a potentially fraudulent prescription, which originated from out of state in February, authorities became aware of Magarian’s scheme. According to the allegations, Magarian created fake patient information, sending the false prescriptions to pharmacies in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and North and South Carolina. Magarian allegedly used the messaging app Telegram to send instructions to his customers and then collected their payments through cryptocurrency platforms and other digital payment services.

Following a yearlong investigation, Magarian was arrested and charged on Jan. 26.

According to WFTV, the scheme fell apart when a 22-year-old man arrived at a pharmacy to pick up a prescription written for a 50-year-old man. Magarian was arrested in New York while in the area to reportedly collect a payment of $14,000 for a prescription of 630 Oxycodone pills. Donnelly said at a press conference in New York that authorities were mystified about how Magarian accomplished his scheme.

“He was able to somehow compromise the cellphone, get in and get the e-prescribing credential of the doctor,” Donnelly said. “He would then credit a fraudulent e-prescribing account using real credentials.” Magarian will be detained in Long Island until his next court-ordered appearance on Feb. 5.

by Rafael Pena

January 28, 2024

Drake Calls Out Judge In Young Thug Trial After Leak Of Jailhouse Video Call From Girlfriend, Mariah the Scientist

Portions of a purported video call between incarcerated rapper Young Thug and his girlfriend, Mariah the Scientist, caused a stir across social media.

On the afternoon of Jan. 24, portions of a purported video call between incarcerated rapper Young Thug and his girlfriend, Mariah the Scientist, surfaced online, causing a stir across social media platforms, according to The Breakfast Club. The video, widely shared on various X platforms, captures an intimate conversation between the couple during the recent holiday season.

In the recording, Mariah the Scientist, whose real name is Mariah Amani Buckles, discusses the Christmas gifts Young Thug gave her and expresses her longing for him. The two-minute video clip gained attention from not just fans but also prominent figures in the music industry, including Drake, who criticized Fulton County officials for their handling of the situation.

Leaked Young Thug and Mariah the Scientist jail call #freesex pic.twitter.com/w31nMcL7QD
— HoodFamousTV (@HoodFamousTV_) January 24, 2024

Drake took to Instagram to share a post by podcaster DJ Akademiks about the leaked call, expressing his dissatisfaction with the situation. He wrote “S–t is disgraceful” and questioned whether it amounted to jail misconduct. Drake raised concerns about the judge overseeing the YSL RICO case, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville, and accused someone of exploiting the video for personal gain. He called for a resolution, saying that the “whole case is a wash just 3 the guy and let him come home and continue bringing light to Atlanta!”

Drake specifically called out Judge Glanville, asking whether the matter was a criminal case or a form of social media promotion in Atlanta. Rapper Meek Mill also weighed in on X, describing the leaked video as a “top-tier lawsuit.”

Responding to the controversy, the Cobb County Jail issued a statement to Billboard, asserting that the leaked call did not originate from their end. The spokesperson clarified that the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office adheres to Georgia law (O.C.G.A 50-18-70), fulfilling open records requests for phone calls and video visitations for Jeffrey Williams, also known as Young Thug. The office maintains that they are obligated to comply with such requests, excluding protected communications between the rapper and his legal team or clergy.

The incident has ignited discussions about privacy, legal boundaries, and potential misconduct within the criminal justice system. As the situation unfolds, questions linger about the responsibility of officials and the impact of leaked jail communications on ongoing legal proceedings.

by Mary Spiller

January 28, 2024

Man Convicted Again Of Manslaughter In Fatal Shooting Of Former NFL Player Will Smith

Hayes was previously convicted in 2016 for the shooting but was later acquitted because the jury couldn't come to a unanimous decision.

Cardell Hayes, the man who fatally shot former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith eight years ago, was found guilty of manslaughter on the morning of Jan 27.

The shooting, the result of a traffic accident in 2016, carries a potential sentence of 40 years now that he’s been convicted. The jury’s decision is the result of a retrial, as Hayes was acquitted of attempted manslaughter for also injuring Smith’s wife, Racquel, in the same shooting incident. The jury deliberated for over four hours.

“We believe the correct verdict would have been ‘not guilty’ on both counts,” said Sarah Chervinsky, one of Hayes’ defense attorneys. “We intend to file an appeal and we will continue to fight for Cardell in this case.”

According to FOX 8, after getting into a traffic crash, Hayes ran into the back of Smith’s car. Smith was under the influence of alcohol, and an argument ensued that resulted in Hayes shooting Smith eight times and shooting Racquel in the leg.

Originally, Hayes was convicted at the end of 2016 of manslaughter for killing Smith and attempted manslaughter for shooting Racquel with a jury split of 10-2. The original verdict was thrown out after the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed non-unanimous verdicts in 2020. Hayes was released after serving a little over four years of his 25-year sentence; his long-awaited retrial was delayed through the COVID-19 pandemic until this year.

Smith was a 34-year-old father of three children. Racquel said in an emotional statement following the conclusion of the trial, “Each time we stepped into this courthouse, we were forced to relive the worst moments of our lives. As hard as it was to sit and listen to autopsy reports and untruths about the night Will was killed, and I was shot, we came each day brave and strong because we were fighting for Will. I can look my children in the eyes and tell them that I gave everything in pursuit of justice on behalf of Will.”

Colin Kaepernick, coach, Lumi story AI, intelligence company, NFL

by Daniel Johnson

January 28, 2024

Will Newly Hired L.A. Chargers Coach Jim Harbaugh Tap Colin Kaepernick As QB Coach? Speculation Swirls

Kaepernick has shown no inclination that he is open to a coaching position as he continues to look for a spot as a player.

Pro Football Focus’s Mike Florio seems to believe that following his departure from the University of Michigan to coach the Los Angeles Chargers, Jim Harbaugh will look to bring in Colin Kaepernick as a quarterback coach.

Previously, when there was speculation about Harbaugh potentially being a candidate for the Minnesota Vikings head coach job in 2022, it was rumored that he was looking to bring Kaepernick on his staff as a quarterback coach. However, Kaepernick has shown no inclination that he is open to a coaching position, most recently angling for an invitation to join the New York Jets practice squad after an Achilles injury to Aaron Rodgers and Zach Wilson’s struggles to be a consistently good quarterback.

Florio notes that Harbaugh also allowed Kaepernick to showcase his arm during halftime of the Wolverine’s spring game in 2022, so the speculation isn’t completely unwarranted.

Following Kaepernick’s collusion settlement with the NFL in 2019, the league has remained uninterested in giving the signal caller another chance, even as some teams struggled with less-than-satisfactory backup quarterback play in subsequent seasons. The Cleveland Browns, this season, elected to kick the tires on Joe Flacco, rotate in PJ Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robbins, a rookie, before injuries and subpar play sidelined them, and they were supplanted by Flacco, who had been on his couch.

Harbaugh’s politics have been the subject of much debate. A 2022 piece for Slate examines Harbaugh’s hodgepodge political views–his support of Kaepernick and Black Lives Matter protests coupled with his pro-life stance on abortion and his admiration of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. According to Slate, all of these stances from the old-school Catholic Harbaugh could explain his convictions around social justice. This also sheds light on why he believes the broader football world wronged Kaepernick for standing on his convictions.

Kaepernick made waves in 2016 while playing for the San Francisco 49ers when he began a principled protest by refusing to stand for the national anthem in a few pre-season games. Asked by NFL Media reporters why he was not standing for the anthem, Kaepernick did not mince words. “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick explained. “To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

The team issued a statement affirming Kaepernick’s right to voice his opinion, “The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”

At the time, Kaepernick was well aware of the potential cost of standing up for social justice, telling NFL.com, “This is not something that I am going to run by anybody. I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed….If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.”

Kaepernick later engaged in a dialogue with Nate Boyer, an ex-Green Beret, and the two arrived at a compromise, instead of refusing to stand, Boyer said that it was better in his opinion to kneel, as he recounted to NPR in 2018.

Kaepernick agreed, but the backlash took over. He wasn’t allowed to play and has not played a snap of football in the past eight years. Is coaching, playing, or neither in Kaepernick’s future? We’ll have to wait to see.

Krystal Hardy-Allen Buys Her Parents Their Dream Home After Dreaming About It Since 3rd Grade

by Mary Spiller

January 28, 2024

Krystal Hardy-Allen Buys Her Parents Their Dream Home After Dreaming About It Since 3rd Grade

Krystal Hardy-Allen bought her parents a fully-renovated historic home in Selma, Alabama.

A little over a year ago, a Black Alabama couple’s daughter gave them a special gift that keeps on giving — a gift that she’s been dreaming of since she was a little girl. Krystal Hardy-Allen bought her parents a home in downtown Selma.

“Back in the 3rd grade I wrote it down in an assignment in class that one of the things I wanted to do when I got big and grew up was buy my parents a home,” she recalled. “For years, I have wanted to bring that to fruition for my parents.”

She finally made it happen in November 2022 by buying a beautiful historic property, making her parents the first-time Black homeowners of the two-story, four-bedroom, and four-bathroom property.

In an interview with WSFA 12, Hardy-Allen described how she worked hard to save up for the home. She said, “I began saving in a separate account in 2017 when I founded @k.allen.consulting to be able to do this (paid in full), worked hard over the years to actualize it, and this moment altogether reminds me of why having a well-rounded definition of success and what’s important in life matters so much.”

She continued to explain what true success was to her. “My success isn’t grounded in the volume of designer items I can accrue, the volume of destinations I visit for vacation, who I’m connected to, what I drive, how much I make, and nothing the world — especially the social media streets — may define as success. For me, it is centered in the extent of lives touched and substantively changed…the IMPACT God allows to flow through me and through @k.allen.consulting,” she told the outlet.

When she bought the home, she hired her father as the head contractor to oversee the renovations. He didn’t know that the house being worked on had already been purchased by Hardy-Allen for him and his wife.

“When we first started working on the house — we was asking her man, why you buy this big house to start off with for your very first rental property,” her brother Arthur Hardy III said.

The whole family came together to finish all the renovations around Christmas, and she finally handed her parents the keys to their new home on Christmas Eve.

Hardy-Allen said, “I took them upstairs and told them the real reason why we were all here was not to sell the house but to make sure they had the keys to their new home.”

Her parents also won’t have to worry about paying a mortgage on the home either.

by Atiya Jordan

January 27, 2024

‘We Fight Back!’ National Voting Rights Organization Rallies Black Voters In South Carolina

Black Voters Matter are on the ground in South Carolina ahead of the Feb. 3 Democratic presidential preference primary.

During an empowering three-day bus tour, Black Voters Matter will send a clear message that Black voters in rural and urban areas will not be denied the vote.

On Jan. 25, the national voting rights organization launched its newest campaign, dubbed 2024 “We Fight Back,” in South Carolina. Ahead of the S.C. Democratic Primary Election, the ambitious team pulled up to the city of Charleston in a mega tour bus to “strategize and envision” what grassroots organizing looks like in 2024, given racist voter suppression tactics that harm Black communities.

We're on the ground in Charleston, South Carolina to strategize and envision what organizing looks like in 2024 given the current political climate. #WeFightBack serves as a reminder that every vote is a powerful weapon of RESISTANCE, a tool of CHANGE, and a beacon of HOPE ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/Ldy917e20g
— Black Voters Matter Fund (@BlackVotersMtr) January 24, 2024

“Everything that Black communities are fighting for across the nation is on full display in South Carolina. It’s racist gerrymandering is pending in the Supreme Court, it remains one of the few states that hasn’t expanded Medicaid and it continues to attack racial justice,” Cliff Albright, co-founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter, said in the announcement release.

“But Black folks in South Carolina have a history of leading the way, and this moment presents another opportunity to do so.”

We Fight Back against racism.
We Fight Back against book bans.
We Fight Back against unfair maps.
We Fight Back against police violence.
We Fight Back against voter suppression.
We fight Back against disenfranchisement.#WeFightBack #BlackVotersMatter ✊🏾
— Black Voters Matter Fund (@BlackVotersMtr) January 24, 2024

Along with the campaign, there will also be a series of community events that will go on until Jan. 28. Black leaders, grassroots champions, people of faith, social justice warriors, and HBCU scholars are all invited to join the movement. The first event, which took place on Thursday in North Charleston, included a Gen Z training and an uncensored political conversation with young voters ages 18-27 as a part of the Take the Field initiative.

Good morning from South Carolina! Yesterday evening we sat down with young Black voters for our “WTF Is Up? Uncut and Uncensored Political Conversation”. A safe space for young voters to express their key concerns and issues ahead of the 2024 election season. #WeFightBack ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/NKhjc3iIPF
— Black Voters Matter Fund (@BlackVotersMtr) January 26, 2024

For the rest of the weekend, there will be a leadership conference, capacity-building training, and a voting rights town hall, followed by Saturday’s canvassing events and a community barbecue. On Sunday, Black Voters Matter will attend church and invite others to join them. The next stop will be the International African American Museum.

Question to young voters: What are barriers to voting?

Answers: There is a reduction in the number of polling stations on or near college campuses, which affects young voters. Additionally, there is insufficient accessibility for voters who are disabled.
— Black Voters Matter Fund (@BlackVotersMtr) January 26, 2024

Black Voters Matter is on the ground ahead of the Feb. 3 Democratic presidential preference primary. In fact, the Palmetto State is one of the first states in the nation to hold a presidential primary in 2024.

“All roads lead to South Carolina because we understand how significant this moment is to the progress of the country. This is the first time that a Southern state with a 50% Black electorate is positioned to lead the way in the early nominating process,” said LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter.

The full schedule of the event can be found here.

Trump, Obamacare, insurance, replace, election

by Rafael Pena

January 27, 2024

Obamacare Sign-Ups Surge To Over 20 Million Americans

The Biden administration announced on Jan. 24 that a record-breaking 20 million Americans have enrolled in health insurance through Obamacare this year.

The Biden administration announced on Jan. 24 that a record-breaking 20 million Americans have enrolled in health insurance through Obamacare, known formally as the Affordable Care Act, marketplaces this year, according to Axios. This notable surge in sign-ups, a 25% increase from the previous year, reflects the administration’s efforts to expand access and affordability.

President Joe Biden, likely to spotlight these results during his upcoming campaigns, emphasized the need to build on this progress and make lower healthcare premiums a permanent fixture. The latest enrollment figures unveiled just days before the open enrollment period’s closure on Jan. 16 underscore the impact of Democratic initiatives, including tax breaks, aimed at providing millions with access to cost-effective plans, some with zero-dollar premiums.

“We must build upon this progress and make these lower health care premiums permanent,” said President Biden in a statement, while also lamenting that “extreme Republicans have blocked these efforts at every turn.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra attributed the heightened interest in coverage to an aggressive campaign aimed at facilitating enrollment. Collaborating with nonprofits nationwide, with a focus on Black and Latino communities like South Florida, the administration also increased funding for navigators, a program that helps people enroll, which suffered cuts during the Trump administration.

“The previous administration made no effort to let people know what they could get. We’re out there, we’re not waiting for them to come to us. We’re going to them,” emphasized Secretary Becerra during an interview with MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

However, the surge in enrollment has not occurred without challenges. Some new enrollees turned to the marketplace after being removed from Medicaid, the nearly free healthcare coverage for the most vulnerable Americans. According to NBC News, the health plans they purchase through the marketplace come with higher premiums and co-pays for services.

Approximately 14.5 million Americans were recently removed from Medicaid after the federal government lifted a three-year ban, allowing states to purge ineligible individuals from the government-sponsored health insurance. Riddled with errors, this process has left thousands, including children and pregnant women, without health insurance coverage in certain states.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, a staunch critic of Obamacare, continues to threaten the Biden administration’s efforts to fortify former President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law. Trump, addressing a rally in Iowa, referred to Obamacare as a “catastrophe” and criticized the late Republican Sen. John McCain for thwarting GOP attempts to dismantle the law over five years ago.

While the open enrollment for ACA health insurance plans concluded on Jan. 16, individuals removed from Medicaid may be eligible to enroll through the end of July, offering a potential extension for those facing disruptions in coverage.