In 2025, Sahan Journal’s health coverage focused on the challenges faced by immigrant communities in accessing healthcare in Minnesota. One major theme was the impact of cuts and downsizing, particularly for undocumented immigrants. The journal reported on several key stories, including the potential loss of healthcare coverage for DACA recipients, which ultimately occurred when a rule granting them access to Affordable Care Act plans was reversed. This change affected over 500,000 people.<\/p>\n
Another significant story was the introduction of a House bill aimed at prohibiting access to MinnesotaCare for undocumented adults. The bill was criticized for amplifying anti-immigrant sentiment and eventually led to the Legislature voting to revoke funding for the program. As a result, tens of thousands of undocumented Minnesotans will lose their health coverage starting January 1.<\/p>\n
Despite these challenges, the journal also highlighted positive developments, such as the growing number of Somali therapists entering the field to address mental health concerns within their community. One such therapist, Ashwak Hassan, uses a culturally specific approach that incorporates Islam to treat her patients. Additionally, a physician assistant at Hennepin County Medical Center, Muhiyadin Aden, has worked to bridge the language gap between healthcare workers and Somali patients.<\/p>\n
The journal also explored the potential impact of Medicaid cuts on Minnesota hospitals and community clinics. The passage of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” features $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts over 10 years, which is expected to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. The journal’s reporting emphasized the importance of understanding the human impact of these policy changes, highlighting the story of Charlotte Watkins, a patient battling lupus who will be affected by the cuts.<\/p>\n
Overall, Sahan Journal’s health coverage in 2025 underscored the ongoing struggles faced by immigrant communities in accessing healthcare and the need for continued support and advocacy. The journal’s reporting relied on the support of donors and emphasized the importance of independent journalism in shedding light on critical issues. As a nonprofit, Sahan Journal depends on donations to keep its reporting accessible to all, and readers are encouraged to make a gift to support their work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In 2025, Sahan Journal’s health coverage focused on the challenges faced by immigrant communities in accessing healthcare in Minnesota. One major theme was the impact of cuts and downsizing, particularly for undocumented immigrants. The journal reported on several key stories, including the potential loss of healthcare coverage for DACA recipients, which ultimately occurred when a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31,22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-222522","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-care","category-insurance"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9ibIB-VT4","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":222692,"url":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/2026\/01\/17\/fears-intensify-for-minnesota-families-due-to-health-concerns-and-insurance-issues-amid-ice-operations\/","url_meta":{"origin":222522,"position":0},"title":"Fears intensify for Minnesota families due to health concerns and insurance issues amid ICE operations.","author":"Team Small News","date":"January 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A recent surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota has left many families in the state fearful and anxious about their health and well-being. The operations, which have resulted in the detention and deportation of many undocumented immigrants, have had a ripple effect on the entire community,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Care"","block_context":{"text":"Care","link":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/category\/care\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":222556,"url":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/2025\/12\/31\/the-uninsured-population-and-health-coverage-the-issue-of-the-uninsured-the-uninsured-population-refers-to-individuals-who-lack-health-insurance-coverage-this-group-is-diverse-and-includes-people\/","url_meta":{"origin":222522,"position":1},"title":"The Uninsured Population and Health Coverage \n\nThe Issue of the Uninsured \nThe uninsured population refers to individuals who lack health insurance coverage. This group is diverse and includes people from various backgrounds, ages, and socioeconomic statuses. Being uninsured can significantly impact an individual’s health and well-being, as it often results in delayed or foregone medical care due to cost concerns.\n\nCauses of Lack of Insurance \nSeveral factors contribute to the lack of health insurance among certain populations. These include:\n– Economic constraints: High premiums and deductibles can make health insurance unaffordable for low-income individuals and families.\n– Employment status: Many employers, especially small businesses, do not offer health insurance to their employees.\n– Pre-existing conditions: Before the Affordable Care Act (ACA), individuals with pre-existing health conditions could be denied coverage or charged higher premiums.\n– Immigration status: Undocumented immigrants often face barriers to accessing health insurance.\n\nConsequences of Being Uninsured \nThe consequences of lacking health insurance are far-reaching and can have serious implications for individuals and society as a whole. Some key consequences include:\n– Delayed care: Without insurance, individuals may postpone seeking medical care, leading to more severe health problems over time.\n– Financial burden: Medical bills can lead to significant financial strain, potentially resulting in bankruptcy.\n– Health disparities: The uninsured are more likely to experience poor health outcomes and have higher mortality rates compared to their insured counterparts.\n– Economic impact: The cost of uncompensated care falls on hospitals, taxpayers, and the insured population, increasing healthcare costs overall.\n\nHealth Coverage Solutions \nTo address the issue of the uninsured, various solutions have been proposed and implemented:\n– Affordable Care Act (ACA): Expanded Medicaid eligibility, allowed young adults to stay on parental insurance until age 26, and prohibited denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions.\n– Medicaid expansion: States have the option to expand Medicaid to cover more low-income individuals.\n– Health Insurance Marketplaces: Provide a platform for individuals and small businesses to purchase health insurance plans.\n– Employer-sponsored insurance: Encouraging employers to offer health insurance as a benefit to their employees.\n– Community health centers: Offer primary care services to underserved populations, including the uninsured.\n\nAddressing the complex issue of the uninsured population requires a multifaceted approach that includes policy reforms, public health initiatives, and community engagement. By understanding the causes and consequences of lacking health insurance, we can work towards achieving more equitable and comprehensive health coverage for all.","author":"Team Small News","date":"December 31, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The US health coverage system is fragmented, leading to gaps in coverage for many individuals. Employer-based insurance is the primary source of coverage for people aged 0-64, but not all workers are offered coverage or can afford it. Medicaid covers many low-income individuals, particularly children, but eligibility for adults is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Care"","block_context":{"text":"Care","link":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/category\/care\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":222699,"url":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/2026\/01\/19\/california-bill-aims-to-rein-in-mental-health-coverage-denials-that-leave-kids-without-care\/","url_meta":{"origin":222522,"position":2},"title":"California bill aims to rein in mental health coverage denials that leave kids without care","author":"Team Small News","date":"January 19, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"California is facing a mental health crisis, particularly among its young people. A recent study found that 94% of those surveyed between the ages of 14 and 25 reported struggling with mental health challenges, and one-third rated their mental health as fair or poor. However, accessing mental health care is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Care"","block_context":{"text":"Care","link":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/category\/care\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":222503,"url":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/2025\/12\/24\/medicaid-expansion-cuts-in-idaho-threaten-access-to-health-care-for-everyone\/","url_meta":{"origin":222522,"position":3},"title":"Medicaid expansion cuts in Idaho threaten access to health care for everyone.","author":"Team Small News","date":"December 24, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Idaho's Medicaid expansion, which was approved by voters in 2018, is facing significant cuts that could threaten access to healthcare for thousands of low-income residents. The expansion, which was expected to provide coverage to approximately 91,000 people, has been a vital lifeline for many individuals and families who were previously\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Care"","block_context":{"text":"Care","link":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/category\/care\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":222443,"url":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/2025\/12\/17\/vulnerable-republican-slams-decision-to-send-health-insurance-costs-soaring-as-political-malpractice\/","url_meta":{"origin":222522,"position":4},"title":"Vulnerable Republican slams decision to send health insurance costs soaring as ‘political malpractice’","author":"Team Small News","date":"December 17, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"House Republican leaders have decided to move forward with a healthcare bill that does not address the impending expiration of pandemic-era tax credits for Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage, which will result in significantly higher insurance costs for millions of Americans in 2026. The bill, which is expected to be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Care"","block_context":{"text":"Care","link":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/category\/care\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":222753,"url":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/2026\/01\/28\/nunn-extend-enhanced-health-care-tax-credits-as-transition-to-repealing-aca-iowacapitaldispatch-com\/","url_meta":{"origin":222522,"position":5},"title":"Nunn: Extend enhanced health care tax credits as transition to repealing ACA – iowacapitaldispatch.com","author":"Team Small News","date":"January 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) have introduced a bill to extend enhanced health care tax credits, which were established under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The enhanced credits, set to expire at the end of 2022, have made health insurance more affordable for millions\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Care"","block_context":{"text":"Care","link":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/category\/care\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/222522","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=222522"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/222522\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=222522"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=222522"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallnews.in\/insurance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=222522"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}