The White House is considering a budget cut that would scrap specialized suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth through the 988 hotline. The proposed 2026 budget from the Department of Health and Human Services removes funding for these targeted resources, which were designed to address the higher suicide risk among young LGBTQ individuals.

A new study warns that the Medicaid cuts included in the House Republicans' domestic policy bill could strip health insurance from about 7.6 million Americans—and potentially lead to thousands of preventable deaths. The proposal, which aims to reduce federal spending, could have dire consequences for low-income families and individuals who rely on the program for essential medical care.

Editor’s Note: Medicaid isn’t just a line item in a budget—it’s a lifeline for millions. If these cuts go through, people who can least afford it might lose access to doctors, medications, and emergency care. The study’s findings highlight the real-world stakes of policy decisions, showing how funding changes can ripple into life-or-death outcomes. This isn’t just about dollars; it’s about who gets left behind.

A mom who depends on SNAP (the federal food assistance program) to put meals on the table for her kids is worried about upcoming changes that could slash benefits for millions. The program might tighten rules on what groceries can be bought, reduce monthly funds, or even kick some families off entirely—leaving many unsure how they'll manage.

Three Democratic governors—Gavin Newsom (California), JB Pritzker (Illinois), and Tim Walz (Minnesota)—are pushing to scale back state-funded health care benefits for undocumented immigrants, a move that’s sparking backlash from progressive groups and immigrant advocates. These governors, all seen as potential 2028 presidential candidates, appear to be walking a tightrope between fiscal concerns and their party’s left flank.

Grad students across the country are raising alarms over proposed cuts to science research funding, arguing it could cripple innovation and derail careers. They're organizing protests, writing op-eds, and lobbying lawmakers, stressing that slashing budgets now could push talent overseas and leave critical projects in limbo.

A fresh AP-NORC poll reveals that a majority of Americans believe programs like Medicaid and food stamps aren’t getting enough funding—contrary to the GOP’s push to slash spending on these safety nets. In short, the public isn’t buying the argument that these programs are overfunded.

Senate Democrats pressed the head of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) over who’s really making the call on controversial research funding cuts—suggesting the Trump administration is pulling strings behind the scenes. NIH director Jay Bhattacharya faced tough questions about whether he’s just following orders instead of standing up for science.

A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration's cuts to NIH grants targeting minority and LGBTQ+ communities were illegal, calling them discriminatory. The judge ordered the government to reinstate most of the funding, siding with advocates who argued the cuts unfairly harmed marginalized groups.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about budgets—it’s about whether the government can single out funding for vulnerable communities. The ruling pushes back against policies that critics say deepened inequities in healthcare research, especially for groups already facing systemic barriers. It’s a win for advocates, but also a reminder of how political shifts can directly impact who gets support—and who gets left behind.

The Trump administration disbanded the CDC team that updates guidelines on birth control safety—often called the "contraception bible"—which could leave women with chronic conditions like sickle cell disease without clear medical advice. These guidelines help doctors navigate risks for patients with health complications, so losing this resource might create gaps in care.