Latest news with #ElizabethSteiner
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Republican tax bill could slash billions for Oregon Health Plan, state officials say
A person holds a "Protect Medicaid" sign in front of Oregon State Capital in Salem on May 1, 2025. (Mia Maldonado / Oregon Capital Chronicle) A Republican tax bill passed in the U.S. House and headed for a vote in the Senate would slash billions in federal Medicaid funding across the country — leaving an outsized mark on states like Oregon that offer health care policies centered on inclusivity. The state relies on more than $11 billion in federal funding each year to cover about 75% of its Medicaid program, known as the Oregon Health Plan. That funding could be more than cut in half if the Republican tax bill passes, according to Oregon State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner. State officials say the bill also has the potential to leave hundreds of thousands of low-income Oregonians without health insurance. Republicans behind the bill say it will deliver large tax cuts, increase immigration security and impose welfare reform. Oregon leaders have called the bill financially irresponsible and a way to punish states that provide Medicaid regardless of citizenship status, and to patients seeking gender-affirming care and reproductive health care, including abortion. Oregon Health Plan benefits have not changed at this time, and the Oregon Health Authority is still assessing the bill's potential impacts, agency spokesperson Amy Bacher told the Capital Chronicle. One in three Oregonians are enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan. This includes more than half of the state's kids, as well as seniors who rely on Medicaid-funded nursing home support and individuals with caregiving needs. The bill would mandate that twice a year state officials verify all adults enrolled in Medicaid have worked or participated in community service for at least 80 hours each month. These requirements would create unnecessary paperwork burdens for low-income people already working, and disincentivize people from enrolling, resulting in 100,000 to 200,000 Oregonians losing their insurance for not complying with the policy, Oregon Health Authority's Medicaid director, Emma Sandoe, told the Oregon Senate Health Care Committee on Tuesday afternoon. 'When people lose coverage, that also means reduced federal dollars coming into Oregon,' Sandoe said. The work requirements alone could reduce federal funding by $1.4 billion per year, she said. Over 10 years, that would result in a loss of up to $16 billion in federal funding for the Oregon Health Plan. These estimates do not include additional funding cuts caused by other provisions in the bill. Another provision of the bill would prohibit federal funds from Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, from going toward gender transition procedures for minors. Beginning in 2026, that prohibition would expand to adults. LGBTQ+ adults are twice as likely as non LGBTQ+ adults to have Medicaid as their primary source of insurance, according to the Williams Institute at University of California, Los Angeles. About 7,000 Oregonians use Medicaid to receive gender-affirming care, Sandoe said. LGBTQ+ advocates in Oregon said the bill is another aggressive step from the Trump administration to target transgender Americans. 'If this bill passes, more transgender people will die,' Blair Stenvick, a spokesperson for the nonprofit advocacy group Basic Rights Oregon, told the Capital Chronicle. 'Gender-affirming care costs are a minuscule fraction of all Medicaid costs, and singling out transgender people — both youth and adults — is an intentional, ideological move from a fascist government obsessed with controlling people's bodies and personal decisions at all costs.' The federal government would match 80% rather than 90% of Oregon's Medicaid funding unless the state ends its program insuring people regardless of citizenship status. That drop in matching funds would amount to a $1 billion loss each year, Sandoe told the committee. Oregon is one of seven states that offers Medicaid to eligible adults regardless of immigration status and one of 14 states, plus Washington, D.C., that covers children regardless of immigration status. In 2017, the state passed a 'Cover All Kids' program to extend Oregon Health Plan benefits to children regardless of immigration status. In 2022, the state allowed all eligible adults regardless of their immigration status access to health coverage through 'Healthier Oregon.' About 100,000 people are enrolled in the program. The bill would prohibit Medicaid reimbursement for 10 years to organizations that provide abortions. Federal funding for abortion has been prohibited for decades under the Hyde Amendment, but the bill would block organizations like Planned Parenthood and other nonprofit providers from receiving reimbursements for other reproductive health services, such as family planning and cancer screenings. There are 12 Planned Parenthood centers in Oregon, Sandoe said, providing pap smears, cervical and breast cancer screenings and STD treatments, among other services to mostly low-income Oregonians. About 70% of Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette patients use Medicaid, the nonprofit's CEO and President Sara Kennedy told the committee. The nonprofit operates clinics in Vancouver, Washington, the Portland metro area, Salem, Bend and Ontario. 'Abortion access will absolutely suffer,' she said, noting that only 10% of patients visiting the nonprofit receive abortions. Planned Parenthood affiliates in Oregon already operate with a budget deficit because Medicaid reimbursement rates do not cover the full costs of providing care, she said. The federal bill would only exacerbate the nonprofit's deficit. 'If this bill passes, cancers will go undetected and untreated,' she said. 'Pregnancies will become more dangerous — not just for Planned Parenthood patients — but for our entire population, and that is even here in a state that has incredible protections for reproductive health care.' The bill would also cap or freeze the taxes states can impose on medical providers — a strategy all states except Alaska use to increase the number of state dollars for Medicaid that can then be matched by federal dollars. States rely on provider taxes to fund 17% of their Medicaid spending, according to most recent data available from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Republicans target a tax that keeps state Medicaid programs running In March, Gov. Tina Kotek signed a bill into law extending its taxes on medical providers through 2032. These taxes fund about a quarter of the Oregon Health Plan, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. 'States will be forced to take on a larger share of the burden of paying for Medicaid — an impossible task, given that Oregon is already dealing with a budget deficit,' Oregon's U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, a Democrat representing the state's 6th Congressional District, told the Capital Chronicle. All five of Oregon's Democratic U.S. House Representatives opposed the bill. Oregon's sole Republican congressman, U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, representing the state's 2nd District, voted in favor of the bill. Oregon's U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat, said the stakes for the bill are 'truly life and death' for Americans. 'Taking away health insurance and benefits like home care and mental health care from seniors, people with disabilities, kids, and working families will be deadly,' he said in a news release. 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First Post
28-04-2025
- Sport
- First Post
I-League drama reaches new height: Despite CAS order, AIFF hands over trophy to Churchill Brothers
The All India Football Federation handed the I-League trophy and winners' medals to Churchill Brothers FC Goa in a ceremony on Sunday, only to find out they were prohibited from doing so by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. read more Churchill Brothers FC Goa finished with 40 points from 22 games at the end of the 2024-25 I-League season, one more than the second-placed Inter Kashi. Image credit: Instagram/churchillbrothersfcgoa The All India Football Federation (AIFF) found itself in an embarrassing situation after handing over the I-League trophy and winners' medals to Churchill Brothers FC Goa on Sunday despite an order from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) prohibiting them from doing so. The governing body for Indian football stated that they were not made aware of the CAS order due to a holiday in the AIFF Secretariat, and got to know about it only after the ceremony had already taken place in Goa on Sunday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The AIFF would like to clarify that, with regard to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) order, due to a holiday in the AIFF Secretariat, the federation was only informed of the order at a time when the ceremony had already concluded in Goa,' read a statement from the AIFF. More from Football 'The AIFF remains committed to adhering to all regulatory and legal processes and will take appropriate action,' it added. The Lausanne-based CAS had barred the AIFF from declaring a winner in the 2024-25 season, which had concluded on 6 April, or conducting a medal ceremony until the ongoing arbitration involving Inter Kashi is resolved. 'The All India Football Federation is ordered not to declare the winner of the I-League 2024/2025 or organise a medal ceremony for the I-League 2024-25 until the present arbitration has been concluded,' Elizabeth Steiner, the Deputy President of CAS' Appeals Arbitration Division, said in a statement. Why Inter Kashi have filed an appeal before CAS Churchill Brothers had finished with 40 points from 22 games at the end of the season, one more than Inter Kashi, and were set to join the Indian Super League (ISL) – the top division of Indian football – by virtue of being the I-League champion. Inter Kashi, however, had played a game against Namdhari FC in which their opponents collected a 2-0 win while reportedly fielding an ineligible player. Kashi appealed against Namdhari fielding Brazilian forward Cledson Carvalho da Silva despite picking up four yellow cards prior to the game, which should have resulted in his suspension. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Namdhari thus were docked the three points they had collected following their victory, which were awarded to Kashi. Things, however, started getting complicated for all parties involved after Namdhari appealed against the decision before the Delhi-based governing body, claiming Cledson was fielded as the 'AIFF CMS portal did not show the player was banned for the game". Thus the 3-0 victory that was awarded to Inter Kashi due to Namdhari FC's 'forfeiture' as a result of fielding an ineligible player was put on hold until the AIFF arrived at a final decision. Kashi have since welcomed CAS' order putting a hold to Churchill Brothers' celebrations. Should the final verdict come out in their favour, Kashi will finish with 42 points to their name instead of 39 and will lift the trophy and book their ISL ticket as a result. 'Inter Kashi eagerly awaits a truly free and fair hearing of the matter at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and maintains that the case involves a simple interpretation of rules and regulations based on some undisputed facts,' the club based in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The AIFF as well as Churchill Brothers and Namdhari FC have been granted time until Tuesday, 29 April to file a full reply to Inter Kashi's application for provisional measures, according to CAS.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
CAS stays I-League title verdict, but Churchill get trophy from AIFF
Panaji: Just when you thought all the drama surrounding this season's I-League champions was over, Sunday threw up more twists and turns in the battle between Churchill Brothers and second-placed Inter Kashi . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It all started with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) staying the all-important decision of the All India Football Federation's appeals committee to take away the three points that were previously awarded to Inter Kashi since Namdhari FC were adjudged to have fielded an ineligible player in their 2-0 win at home. The order by Elizabeth Steiner, deputy president of the CAS's Appeals Arbitration Division, also asked the AIFF 'not to declare the winner of the I-League 2024-25 or organise a medal ceremony for the I-League until the present arbitration has been concluded.' The Switzerland-based independent CAS is tasked with resolving legal disputes in the field of sport through arbitration. AIFF, Churchill and Namdhari have been given time till April 29 to file a full reply to Inter Kashi's application for provisional measures. Churchill, however, were crowned champions later in the day with AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan handing over the trophy to captain Lamgoulen Hangshing and the medals to the team members at a city hotel in South Goa. The AIFF later clarified that they were unaware of the CAS order, until after the conclusion of the trophy ceremony. 'The AIFF would like to clarify that, with regard to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) order, due to a holiday in the AIFF Secretariat, the federation was only informed of the order at a time when the ceremony had already been concluded in Goa,' the AIFF said in a statement late on Sunday. 'The AIFF remains committed to adhering to all regulatory and legal processes and will take appropriate action.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The AIFF had previously ignored an email from a Geneva-based law firm representing Inter Kashi at CAS to postpone the medal ceremony until the CAS Panel has finally resolved the dispute. Churchill said they had plans to celebrate the I-League title victory with a trophy reception at the Panchayat ground, Raia, where they played all home games this season, but changed plans due to the death of Pope Francis and the terror attack in Pahalgam. 'The prospect of receiving the I-League Trophy after securing the top position with 40 points following our draw against Real Kashmir FC in Srinagar on April 6, 2025, in accordance with AIFF regulations, would have been a moment of immense joy. However, that was not the case. We were compelled to seek legal intervention. Following the directives of competent legal authorities, the AIFF eventually agreed to award us the trophy,' Churchill said on Sunday. The club said the AIFF presented them with two options: receiving it on May 2, 2025, during the Super Cup in Bhubaneswar, or having their representatives hand it over in Goa. 'Having withdrawn from the Super Cup, we deemed it inappropriate to participate in any related events. Opting to receive the trophy in Goa allowed us the opportunity to invite the local media, ensuring that this achievement could be shared with the entire state. The trophy, first and foremost, belongs to our dedicated players, coaching staff and all other officials of the team who have worked very hard to make this dream come true. 'Regrettably, the unfortunate and avoidable delays have resulted in the absence of most of the squad today. Only few players along with a few members of our coaching staff, are present from our approximately 30-member team. This is deeply disappointing, as each individual worked tirelessly for this victory,' said Churchill. Churchill finished the league with 40 points, one more than second-placed Inter Kashi. The three disputed points hold the key to deciding the eventual champions, who would move to the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL) on sporting merit.
The Print
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Print
CAS stays AIFF decision to crown Churchill as I-League champions on application from Inter Kashi
In an order passed 'on request for provisional measures', Elizabeth Steiner, the Deputy President of the Appeals Arbitration Division of the CAS, also barred the AIFF from conducting any medal ceremony till the case is decided. The AIFF, on April 18, belatedly announced Churchill Brothers as the I-League champions after the its Appeals Committee ruled against second-placed Inter Kashi, who had then knocked the doors of the world's highest sports tribunal based in Switzerland. New Delhi, Apr 27 (PTI) The drama surrounding this season's I-League title continued as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Sunday stayed the decision of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to declare Churchill Brothers of Goa as the champions on an application filed by Inter Kashi. 'The decision rendered by the Appeal Committee of All India Football Federation rendered on 18 April 2025 is stayed,' Elizabeth Steiner said in an 'ex parte' order. 'The All India Football Federation is ordered not to declare the winner of the I-League 2024/2025 or organise a medal ceremony for the I-League 2024-25 until the present arbitration has been concluded,' said the Austrian jurist. In 'ex parte' order, the proceeding or action involves only one party without notice to the other. These orders are in place only until further hearings can be held. The CAS granted the respondents, including the AIFF and Churchill Brothers 'a time limit to file a full reply to the application for provisional measures until 29 April 2025.' 'The costs of the present Order shall be determined in the final award or in any other final disposition of this arbitration,' the order said. Churchill Brothers had finished provisionally on top of the table with 40 points after the final round on April 6. But, their title and Indian Super League promotion were subject to the outcome of Inter Kashi's disputed points from their January 13 match against Namdhari SC, which the latter had won 2-0. The AIFF Disciplinary Committee had awarded a 3-0 forfeit win and three points to Inter Kashi after ruling that Namdhari fielded an 'ineligible player'. That decision would have taken Inter Kashi to 42 points, enough to clinch the title. However, the AIFF Appeals Committee later put the Disciplinary Committee order 'inoperative and in abeyance' pending a final hearing. After a delayed process, including a postponed April 12 hearing due to Namdhari's counsel citing 'sickness', the AIFF's Appeals Committee on April 18 set aside the Disciplinary Committee's order and ruled in favour of Churchill. On the basis of its Appeal Committee ruling, the AIFF had declared Churchill Brothers as I-League champions. Inter Kashi had, however, released a statement signalling their intent to escalate the matter to CAS. 'The conclusion of the hearing, and with it, the exhaustion of all internal dispute resolution processes, enables Inter Kashi to approach the CAS for a truly free and fair hearing of the matter. 'Inter Kashi will keep no stone unturned to secure justice, and any celebration in the interim may ultimately prove to be premature in nature,' the club had said in a statement. PTI PDS PDS AH AH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
