Changes to Medicaid and SNAP eligibility\u00a0<\/p>\n
(0:00) This week marks the start of a new fiscal year for the federal government, meaning a host of new nationwide regulations took effect Oct. 1.<\/p>\n
\nThat includes big changes to eligibility for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.<\/p>\n
\nCoverage for Medicaid has been significantly narrowed for legally present noncitizens.<\/p>\n
\nIn Florida, that could mean around 177,000 people will lose coverage.<\/p>\n
\nThe last time the state had to notify a large group of people they were no longer eligible for Medicaid in 2023, it ended with confusion and lawsuits<\/a>.<\/p>\n \nSo, what changes have been made to update the state’s notification system since then?<\/p>\n \nAnd how will similar rollbacks to SNAP impact Florida’s food assistance program?<\/p>\n \nGuests: <\/p>\n Sharmila Venkatasubban, senior editor and health reporter for the Florida Trib.\u00a0Cindy Huddleston, senior policy analyst at the Florida Policy Institute.\u00a0<\/p>\n Florida’s minimum wage\u00a0<\/p>\n \n \nIt’s the final in a series of increases from an amendment voters approved in 2020.<\/p>\n \nBut now that it’s finally here, will it help make a dent in the state’s growing affordability crisis? How much does $15 help workers in Florida? And is it putting strain on businesses?<\/p>\n \nGuest: <\/p>\n Michael Snipes, economics professor at the University of South Florida.\u00a0<\/p>\n Weekly news briefing\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n \nSo, what’s behind those increases? A new three-part series<\/a> from WUSF explores that question.<\/p>\n \nAfter nearly 20 years, the Florida Department of Education is making changes<\/a> to its standards. But first, the state is asking for public input.<\/p>\n
(27:42) Florida’s minimum wage is going from $14 to $15 this week.<\/p>\n
(37:20) Beyond healthcare and food costs, another added expense for families is a rise in electricity bills.<\/p>\n