Mayor Karen Bass announced a plan Friday to provide direct cash assistance to people who have been affected by the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration raids.
The aid will be distributed using cash cards with a “couple hundred” dollars on them, which should be available in about a week, Bass said at a news conference.
“You have people who don’t want to leave their homes, who are not going to work, and they are in need of cash,” she said.
Bass spoke about a family she met who needed two incomes to afford their rent. After one of the breadwinners was detained in an immigration raid, she said, the family is concerned they may face eviction.
It was not immediately clear what the qualifications will be needed to receive the cards.
The mayor emphasized that the money will not come from city coffers but from philanthropic partners. The cards will be distributed by immigrants rights groups such as the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.
The city will coordinate between philanthropists and organizations distributing the cards, according to the mayor’s office.
The announcement came during a Bass news conference about an executive order she signed Friday directing all city departments to “bolster protocols” and training on how to comply with the city’s sanctuary policy, which states that city employees and city property may not be used to “investigate, cite, arrest, hold, transfer or detain any person” for the purpose of immigration enforcement, except for serious crimes. Departments will have to come up with their plans within two weeks.
The executive order also creates a working group that will examine — and possibly update — the LAPD’s policy on responding to immigration enforcement. Since 1979, the LAPD has taken a strong stance against enforcing federal immigration law, prohibiting its officers from initiating contact with anyone for the sole purpose of learning their immigration status.
The executive order also includes a directive to file Freedom of Information Act requests for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to turn over records with the dates and locations of every raid in the city since June 6, as well as the identities of the people detained and the reason for their detention.
The cash cards are one of a slew of announcements — including the executive order — this week by the mayor in response to the federal immigration crackdown in Los Angeles that has entered its second month.
Earlier this week, Bass and the city attorney announced the city’s intention to join a lawsuit calling for an end to the Trump administration’s “unlawful” raids in the city.
Rosalía has been announced as the first brand ambassador for New Balance. Photo: New Balance
Global superstar Rosalía has officially joined the New Balance family, and she’s doing it her way. Known for pushing boundaries in music and fashion, the Grammy-winning artist now brings her fearless style to the iconic athletic brand.
Her journey begins on a rooftop at sunset, dressed in street-ready gear that matches the city’s energy. From there, the story unfolds like a film. She speeds through city streets, a bold figure in a trench coat, stepping into the New Balance headquarters with purpose.
Rosalía – New Balance Ambassador
Each scene, shot like a movie, captures a powerful message: this goes beyond sneakers. It’s about movement, vision, and bold self-expression. At the center of the campaign is the all-new New Balance 204L.
It’s a mix of retro and futuristic, it blends early 2000s tech with sleek suede overlays. Rosalía walks confidently in them, showing how fashion and performance can live side by side.
The five-part campaign tells a deeper story, one of creativity, culture, and breaking limits. And it all leads to the reveal: a custom painting of the New Balance x Rosalía logo, symbolizing their creative union.
“I’ve always been a fan of New Balance, and that’s why working with the brand is especially exciting for me,” says Rosalía.
A California marijuana farm is under investigation for child labor violations after 10 illegal alien juveniles were found at the facility during an immigration raid on Thursday.
Federal agents descended on two marijuana farms in Ventura County owned Glass House Farms located in Camarillo and Carpinteria in Southern California on Thursday.
According to reports, anti-ICE protestors were tipped off to the raid after federal agents obtained a search warrant on the marijuana farm.
BREAKING: Pink haired protesters are ramming Mexican flags into the tires of U.S. military vehicles & smashing the flagpoles against the windows — amid an immigration raid at a cannabis farm in Camarillo, CA.
Children were seen running in the field during the immigration raid.
Footage obtained by KTLA shows a young man crying, saying his mother had just been taken, and children and protesters running from tear gas that was deployed when a crowd gathered at an immigration raid at a Ventura County farm this afternoon. Details: https://t.co/kDqb7NMBrOpic.twitter.com/FjvxQxtQ4u
It was later reported that several juveniles were found at the marijuana facility.
The pot farm is now under investigation for child labor violations.
Here’s some breaking news: 10 juveniles were found at this marijuana facility – all illegal aliens, 8 of them unaccompanied. It’s now under investigation for child labor violations.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky kicked off a European recovery conference in Rome as Moscow pounded Ukraine’s capital with another major missile and drone attack overnight in some of the heaviest attacks on Kyiv in the more than three-year war. The conference is expected to finalize individual deals of guarantees and grants to unlock more than 10 billion euros (around $12 billion) in investments, Meloni said. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24’s Mark Owen welcomes Dr Neil Melvin, Director of International Security at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).
Undefeated boxing sensation Gervonta Davis was arrested earlier today on charges of alleged domestic violence, stemming from an incident with the mother of his two children that occurred back on Father’s Day (June 15) in Doral, Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Davis, 30, is currently being held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center after reportedly getting physical with the victim, whose mother recorded portions of the alleged altercation on her mobile phone.
If Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center sounds familiar, it’s because the facility made headlines for its Saran Wrap semen scandal back in March. When I think of air ducts, I picture John McClane, not John Holmes.
When it comes to protecting long-term brain health, most people think of exercise, puzzles, or a healthy diet. Two popular diets, the Mediterranean and DASH (Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay), aim to prevent or slow brain decline. According to WebMD, “Early studies show that it lowers risk of Alzheimer’s by 53% in those who follow it closely and by 35% in those who follow it more loosely.”
An unexpected component in this diet is a popular alcoholic beverage that, if consumed in moderation, can help lower dementia risk. Here’s what the evidence reveals and why it might be time to rethink your drink of choice.
How does it work?
According to Web MD, several studies have shown that wine improves brain health and helps protect against Alzheimer’s. Red wine, in particular, contains compounds called flavonoids, which are present in many fruits and vegetables.
A sub-type of flavonoids is anthocyanins, which are “naturally produced pigments that give flowers their red, purple, and blue colour. “They’re predominantly found in the outer skin of berries and berry products like red wine,” reported Healthline.
Flavonoids are rich in antioxidant activity and can help your body ward off everyday toxins. The compounds are also related to decreased risks of dementia, depression, and hypertension.
However, the expert warned: “The key is moderation. Typically, that’s one glass a day for women and two for men. More than that can have bad effects on brain health and may make you more likely to get dementia,” said the health expert.
What evidence supports this?
A study in the American Academy of Neurology journal found that people who drank wine weekly or monthly were over twice as likely to avoid dementia.
Researchers tracked the alcohol habits of 1,709 Copenhagen residents in the 1970s and reassessed them in the 1990s, when they were 65 or older. Over 20 years, 83 developed dementia, and their drinking patterns were compared to those who did not.
However, the study is limited as eating habits and other lifestyle factors were not assessed. However, an editorial neurologist, John Brust, explained: “Research suggests that wine drinkers may have better dietary habits than beer and liquor drinkers. There is also evidence that dietary vitamin E may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
“These factors were not accounted for in this study. Nonetheless, this is a provocative report providing evidence that there is indeed something specifically beneficial about wine.”
Criticism
The head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, Dr Sara Imarisio, said: “Understanding the different factors that affect our dementia risk is vital for finding new ways to reduce the number of people who develop the condition in the future.
“While the researchers found that those eating a diet with high levels of flavonoids were less likely to report memory and thinking problems, we should treat these results with caution.”
She continued: “Dementia is caused by a complex mix of age, genetics and lifestyle factors. From this study alone, we are unable to untangle diet or a specific food component from other lifestyle factors which contribute to dementia risk.”
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card is one of the best pound-for-pound travel cards in the Canadian market, thanks to its generous earning rates, no foreign transaction fees, and numerous travel perks.
With the card packed full of features and benefits, you might be wondering how you can get the most out of the card and really take advantage of all that it has to offer.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to maximize the potential of the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, including by earning and redeeming rewards and everything in between.
1. Get a Kickstart with the Welcome Bonus
You’re off to a great start in maximizing your Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card with its welcome bonus. Currently, new cardholders can earn up to 50,000Scene+ points,
The first batch of Scene+ points is earned upon meeting a modest minimum spend requirement of $2,000 within the first three months of the card account opening.
The second batch of Scene+ points is earned upon spending a $7,500 within the first year of card membership.
While $7,500 may sound steep, it works out to just $625 a month — an achievable target for many households, especially if you’re using the card for groceries, dining, gas, and bills.
On top of that, the $120 annual fee is waived in the first year, and the personal annual income requirement is a modest $12,000 annually — unusually low for a card with this level of rewards.
Whether you’re a student with a part-time job or a newcomer to Canada just starting out, this is a strong card that’s absolutely worth considering.
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
Earn 30,000 Scene+ points upon spending $2,000 in the first three months
Plus, earn an additional 20,000 Scene+ points upon spending $7,500 in the first year
Earn 6x Scene+ points at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, FreshCo, and more
Plus, earn 5x Scene+ points on groceries, dining, and entertainment
Also, earn 3x Scene+ points on gas, transit, and select streaming services
Redeem points for a statement credit for any travel expense
No foreign transaction fees
Enjoy the exclusive benefits of being an American Express cardholder
Annual fee: $120 (waived for the first year)
2. Boost Your Balance on Everyday Spending
Once you’ve earned the full welcome bonus on the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, you can continue to pad your Scene+ balance with the card’s excellent everyday earning rates.
By paying for many of life’s essentials with your Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, you can enjoy the following earning rates:
Earn 6 Scene+ points per dollar spent at Empire Company grocery stores† (Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, and more)
Earn 5 Scene+ points per dollar spent at eligible restaurants and grocery stores†
Earn 5 Scene+ points per dollar spent on eligible entertainment purchases†
Earn 3 Scene+ points per dollar spent on eligible gas and daily transit purchases†
Earn 3 Scene+ points per dollar spent on eligible streaming services†
Earn 1 Scene+ point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases (including foreign transactions)†
The card is backed by the Scene+ program, which allows you to earn and redeem points at an elevated rate at a myriad of partners, such as:
Empire Company stores (Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Lawton Drugs, etc.)
Recipe Unlimited restaurants (Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet, East Side Mario’s, etc.)
Cineplex (including The Rec Room and Playdium)
Home Hardware
Likewise, the Scene+ program allows you to flexibly redeem your points towards travel purchases, merchandise, and gift cards, among other options. The flexibility of Scene+ points is also notable in that you’re able to use your points for expenses like boutique hotels or low-cost flights that aren’t bookable through airline or hotel loyalty programs.
The card is also backed by American Express, which is accepted in 160+ countries and territories – even in countries that you think it might not be, such as Nicaragua, Peru, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan. Additionally, in Canada, more businesses are accepting American Express thanks to initiatives like Shop Small.
3. Up to 6x Scene+ Points on Groceries
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card offers one of the highest earning rates on groceries among Canadian credit cards. By using your card at eligible grocery stores, you’ll benefit from the following earning rates:
6 Scene+ points per dollar spent at Empire Company’s brands, including Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, and Thrifty Foods
5 Scene+ points per dollar spent at all other eligible grocery stores
Even better, as partners of the Scene+ program, Empire Company grocery stores let you earn more points with weekly specials and promotions. You can find many of these offers by browsing the digital or print flyer of your favourite Empire Company grocery store.
For example, you can take part in the weekly Scene+ Stock Up deal at Sobeys and easily receive thousands of extra points by simply purchasing the featured items.
Keep in mind that you may also redeem your Scene+ points for an instant rebate on your groceries at Empire Company stores at a rate of 1,000 points = $10. Moreover, you can earn and redeem Scene+ points on the same transaction and truly maximize your savings.
4. 5x Scene+ Points on Dining and Entertainment
Another exciting feature of the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card is its accelerated earning rate of 5 Scene+ points per dollar spent on eligible dining and entertainment, which allows you to quickly build up your points balance when enjoying a night out.
To maximize the number of points you earn beyond those earned with the credit card, you can use the Scene+ app to watch for offers from partnered Recipe Unlimited restaurants and use these to earn up to 15x more points on eligible transactions.
For instance, you could load the 15x offer at Kelsey’s Original Roadhouse and earn 15 Scene+ points per $3 spent. Plus, these earnings are on top of what you earn with the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, with which you’ll get another 15 Scene+ points per $3 spent.
That means that by combining the special offer and spending on your Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, you’ll earn 30 Scene+ points per $3 spent, which is equivalent to a 10% return on spending – among the most generous rewards you’ll get from a restaurant in Canada.
Your movie nights will also be more rewarding when you use your Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card in tandem with your Scene+ membership at Cineplex.
By using your Scene+ membership alone, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar spent on tickets, food, and drinks; however, when you use your Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card to pay, you’ll get another 5 points per dollar spent on the same purchases, doubling your earnings to 10 points per dollar spent, or once again, a 10% return.
5. 3x Scene+ Points on Gas and Daily Transit
Another valuable accelerated earning rate on the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card is the 3x Scene+ points earned on eligible gas purchases and daily transit.
You’ll find this benefit especially valuable these days, since PRESTO, the payment system for many transit agencies in Ontario, now accepts credit cards tapped directly onto its payment devices.
You can now tap your card directly onto PRESTO fare devices in Ontario
That means that when you take the bus, streetcar, and subway in Toronto, you can tap your Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card directly onto the PRESTO device and easily earn 3 points per dollar spent on your fares, which is equivalent to a 3% return.
6. No Foreign Transaction Fees
One of the most compelling features of the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card is that it does not charge a foreign transaction fee on purchases made in foreign currencies.
This means you’ll pay your foreign currency transactions based solely on the mid-market exchange rate, without any additional fees tacked on.
Most Canadian credit cards charge 2.5% or more on foreign transactions, so if you tend to spend a lot of time outside of Canada, these extra fees can really add up.
With the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, you’ll not only save the 2.5% on all foreign currency transactions, but you’ll also earn 1 Scene+ point per Canadian dollar spent on all foreign currency transactions (calculated after the currency exchange).
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
Earn 30,000 Scene+ points upon spending $2,000 in the first three months
Plus, earn an additional 20,000 Scene+ points upon spending $7,500 in the first year
Earn 6x Scene+ points at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, FreshCo, and more
Plus, earn 5x Scene+ points on groceries, dining, and entertainment
Also, earn 3x Scene+ points on gas, transit, and select streaming services
Redeem points for a statement credit for any travel expense
No foreign transaction fees
Enjoy the exclusive benefits of being an American Express cardholder
Annual fee: $120 (waived for the first year)
7. Complimentary Concierge Service
While the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card is attractive for its high earning rates, it’s also supplemented by a slew of features that you can maximize for your travels.
One of these helpful features is the complimentary concierge service, which Scotiabank provides in partnership with Ten Lifestyle Group.
The concierge service can assist you in booking restaurants, hotels, and entertainment (among other services) in Canada and around the world. As a matter of fact, the service has specialists for each geographic region who are equipped to provide personalized recommendations.
As an example, this service can take away the hassle of getting in touch with restaurants and hotels that are in a different time zone or that speak a different language.
In addition, the concierge service offers special perks such as complimentary wine at restaurants, experience credits at hotels and resorts, and exclusive VIP tickets for sporting events.
8. Amex Offers
American Express is known for its offers that help offset its credit cards’ annual fees. Fortunately, with the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, you can easily take part in these offers since you can register for Amex Offers through a dedicated portal.
Some examples of popular Amex Offers include a $60 statement credit upon spending $250 at Marriott-affiliated hotels in Canada and the US, as well as a $150 statement credit when you spend $750 with United Airlines. In both these cases, the Amex Offer essentially lets you save up to 20% on the associated flights and hotel stays.
If you’re able to take advantage of these Amex Offers and more over the course of a year, you’ll more than offset the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card’s modest $120 annual fee.
Conclusion
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card is a powerhouse for everyday spending, at home or abroad, especially if you eat out, buy groceries, or travel even semi-regularly.
It’s rare to find a card that combines strong earn rates, no foreign transaction fees, and a low income requirement. Throw in a generous welcome bonus, access to Amex Offers, and handy perks like concierge service, and you’ve got a card that really pulls its weight.
If you’re after a flexible card that delivers great value without adding complexity, this one’s a solid pick for your wallet.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
When I started my first business, I had everything going for me — or so I thought. I was young, confident and raised on grit. Growing up on a farm in Idaho taught me how to work hard from the time I could walk. By college, I already had industry experience from working at an electric sign company, and now I was launching one of my own.
I figured my work ethic and expertise would carry the day. And for a while, they did.
But what no one tells you — what I learned the hard way — is that you can be doing everything right, and still be broke. On paper, my business was successful. In reality, I was one bad invoice away from disaster.
When the real struggle began
Within a month of opening, I applied for an SBA loan and got rejected. I assumed I’d be able to get trade credit from vendors — no luck there either. I had no credit history. Not bad credit. No credit. I’d been raised to believe that debt was dangerous, so I avoided it altogether. I’d paid cash for everything, even my car. I thought that was responsible. Turns out, it made me invisible to lenders.
And that’s when reality hit: every dollar had to come out of my own pocket. I was constantly cash-strapped. Hundreds of thousands in accounts receivable — and nothing in the bank to cover payroll or rent. I remember the sleepless nights, the stress headaches, the panic of waiting for payments I couldn’t speed up. I was doing good work, but I couldn’t prove to anyone that I was worth trusting.
Eventually, I realized the problem wasn’t personal — it was systemic. Lenders and vendors weren’t being unfair. They just had no data to go on. No one knew if I paid bills on time, because I had never given them the chance to find out.
So I started building my credit history, step by step. I applied for credit cards. I opened small lines of credit. I paid everything on time, every time. I learned how business credit scores work — and how to separate personal and business credit properly. Back then, good information was hard to come by. Today, there’s no excuse. Tools, platforms and expert guidance are everywhere.
What I once had to figure out through trial and error, most entrepreneurs can now learn in a weekend.
Why credit isn’t optional
If you’re building a business, strong credit isn’t just “nice to have.” It’s a growth engine. It lets you borrow money at lower rates. It unlocks trade credit so you can stock up without draining your bank account. It improves your insurance rates and lease terms. It strengthens your reputation with vendors, customers and partners. Want to win government contracts or work with large clients? Good luck without a solid business credit score.
Even payment processing gets easier and cheaper when your credit is in good shape.
Bottom line: your credit tells the world whether you’re trustworthy — and in business, trust is everything.
Hard work matters. So does expertise. But if you ignore your credit, you’re stacking the odds against yourself from day one.
I learned that lesson the painful way. You don’t have to.
Start building your credit history now—personally and professionally. Don’t wait until you need financing to realize you’re invisible to lenders. Learn how business credit works. Use the tools available to you. And take control of the one thing that can make or break your business long before your product ever sees the light of day.
Trust me: one sleepless night over cash flow is one too many.
Shoppers are souring on Lululemon — and the once-thriving yoga chain is meanwhile getting squeezed by new rivals.
The pricey retailer known for its $100 leggings has been discounting at “alarming rates” — even as it has been losing customers to competitors, according to new research from investment bank Jefferies.
At one location ahead of the July 4 weekend, a slim-fit skirt was marked down to $49 from $78 while a pair of jogger pants were marked down to $89 from $128.
Lululemon was known for being stingy with discounted apparel, but that’s changing now. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
A windproof golf vest was marked down to $79 from $128, according to a July 2 Jefferies report.
The discounting is striking for a retailer that traditionally sold most of its merchandise at full price, Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners told The Post.
“Historically 95% of their stuff was sold at full price, now they are lucky to get 75% at full price,” Johnson said.
Meanwhile, competitors Vuori and Alo Yoga are going for Lululemon’s jugular – and have been gaining market share since February, according several recent Jefferies research reports.
“Alo and Vuori are coming after Lululemon,” Jefferies analyst Randal Konik told The Post.
The privately-held chains are muscling in on Lululemon’s turf, opening stores across the street and next door in shopping malls and big cities. On Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, Lululemon’s flagship faces an Alo store at the corner of West 48th Street.
Alo, founded in 2007 in Beverly Hills, has 99 stores in the US. San Diego-based Vuori has 93, according to their websites.
Alo opened a store across the street from Lululemon on the corner of W. 48th St. and Fifth Avenue. NYPost/Lisa Fickenscher
Both ramped up their retail expansion over the past few years, according to Konik, and have leaned heavily into social media and influencers. Alo, for one, has bankrolled campaigns with Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid.
In response, a frantic Lululemon has made a few missteps, including introducing “loud” colors and sweaters and jackets that customers don’t typically associate with the athleisure brand, Konik says.
Bright red, yellow, blue, green and purple merchandise looks more like “Sesame Street,” Konik laments, and is overwhelming the muted, soft pastels the Vancouver-based chain is known for.
“They are trying to extend the brand to non-athletic people, but these non-core products are on sale,” said Konik, who has maintained an “underperform rating on Lululemon shares for the past two years.
The yoga-gear company has recently added bright red, green, purple and yellow apparel to its assortment. Getty Images
Lululemon’s stock price is down 38% this year, closing at $238 on July 10 and down 54% from its all time high of $516 in December 2023.
At the Lululemon store this week, there were four markdown racks on the third floor filled with bright green, pink, orange and neon yellow, leggings, shorts and jackets. Green leggings were $69, down from $98, and a pair of orange shorts were $49, down from $68. A white windbreaker was $129, marked down from $148.
The Alo store across the street had similarly priced items — but there were no sales racks to be found anywhere in the store.
Over the past several years, Lululemon has opened at least two dozen outlet stores up from just a handful in 2019, according to Johnson.
Lululemon is trying to attract non athletic customers, according to Jefferies analyst Randal Konik. Bloomberg via Getty Images
“The bulk of their highest grossing stores are the outlet locations,” Johnson added.
Lululemon is also leaning into “logomania,” slapping its name across sweatshirts, jackets and baseball caps – eclipsing its subtle “Omega” logo that is on every piece of merchandise.
“There’s no end to logomania,” Konik writes. Management “is zeroing in on ‘newness’ as a panacea for their product struggles…however the outcome is a disjointed assortment that’s failing.”
The company did not respond to requests for comment.
In June, it reported that revenues increased by 7% to $2.4 billion in the first quarter ended on May 4, but most of that growth was overseas. Comparable store sales in North America decreased by 2%, the company said.
Lululemon has recently added bright colored apparel to its assortment. Bloomberg via Getty Images
In June, the company said it is laying off 150 corporate employees, according to a Retail Dive report.
“We experienced lower store traffic in the Americas, partially reflective of economic uncertainty, inflationary pressures, lower consumer confidence, and changes in discretionary spending,” Lululemon said in a statement.
In July, it also sued Costco, accusing the massive discounter for ripping off its designs, selling hoodies and pants for $8 and $10 – compared to Lululemon’s $118 and $128 price tag for similar products – that look too similar to high end retailer’s products.
With 770 stores, Lululemon is still the number one chain among premium athleisure brands, including The Gap’s Athleta chain – with 250 stores – and Free People Movement –with 68 stores.
“The brand is still strong and has loyal customers,” Johnson said. “But they have had some chinks in their armor.”
The New York Times’ lead headline Thursday was outright, deceptive fearmongering: “Why 1.5 Million New Yorkers Could Lose Health Insurance Under Trump Bill.”
For starters, many of its figures come from health-care bosses and state officials ever eager to maximize their take in federal dollars — and with a keen interest in overestimating the damage.
These sources, and the Times itself, won’t talk much about the obscene amounts (tens of billions) that New York spends on government-subsidized health care — or how much of that bill Washington winds up footing.
Let alone note that many who lose coverage under this law can — and surely will — find other plans to cover their health care, whether public or private.
Or how individuals themselves game — or outright defraud — Medicaid.
Last year, the Empire Center’s Bill Hammond found that “as many as 3 million New Yorkers appear to be receiving state-sponsored health coverage from Medicaid or the Essential Plan despite having incomes above the eligibility limits” — but the state doesn’t bother checking.
That’s millions who likely should lose their coverage because they don’t qualify: Where’s the injustice in the GOP’s new law forcing the issue?
It’s true that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act aims to (slightly) restrain the growth of federal Medicaid outlays, with an eye on keeping the program solvent for those who truly need it.
It does this by targeting much of the waste and fraud: One key provision, for example, requires young, able-bodied Medicaid recipients to work at least 80 hours a month. The Times somehow doesn’t explain what’s wrong with that.
Another cuts off federal aid for noncitizens: That includes hundreds of thousands in the Essential Plan, which is almost entirely funded by the feds, and reimburses providers at more than twice the Medicaid rate.
And still, the plan has raked in so much federal dough that it’s built huge surpluses — amounting to nearly an estimated $12 billion through the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Yet people who qualify for the Essential Plan are not the poorest of the poor; indeed, they make too much to qualify for Medicaid (which in itself cover about a third of New York’s population, going far above the poverty line).
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Voters across the nation don’t want to cover noncitizens (particularly illegal migrants); if New York politicians insist on it, they can find the cash elsewhere in the bloated state budget.
Look: Medicaid outlays have soared this last decade, as Democrats juke the rules as a stealthy route to nationalized health insurance; this is a huge reason why Uncle Sam’s deficits now reach $2 trillion a year.
And the GOP law only begins to dent future increases.
Liberals and Democrats are desperate to paint this modest restraint as dealing a harsh blow to the needy: Telling the truth won’t help them win any voters back.
How pathetic that they see their best interests served by leaving Medicaid, and the nation, on track to go bankrupt.
