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Fact Sheet
Federal law strengthened SNAP amid COVID-19 pandemic, but benefit increase still needed
The economic meltdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has created an extraordinary demand for food assistance. State agencies are working overtime to figure out how to get food to hungry Alabamians while schools are closed, people are sheltering in place and the risk of infection is high. Applications for food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition [...]
Fact Sheet
Unemployment insurance improvements, recovery rebates will help Alabamians hurt by COVID-19 pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has caused an unprecedented increase in unemployment insurance claims nationally. And the story is the same in Alabama, where 74,056 UI claims were filed in the week ending Saturday, March 28. That’s easily a record high since 1987, the earliest year for which weekly data is available for Alabama. The number of [...]
Blog
Arise legislative recap: March 27, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic will strain Alabama's health care system in unprecedented ways. Arise's Jim Carnes discusses how Medicaid expansion, elimination of enrollment barriers and other policy changes would help Medicaid save lives during and after this outbreak. Read our full list of recommendations here.
Blog
Targeted releases should be part of Alabama corrections system’s response to COVID-19 pandemic
State and local governments are responding in a variety of ways to the emergent coronavirus pandemic in Alabama. But that response thus far has fallen short where incarcerated people are concerned. The Alabama Department of Corrections (DOC) has more than 27,500 people in custody right now. (For context, that’s more people than live in Anniston, [...]
In the News
Alabama Medicaid should use every tool it has to save lives
"Medicaid and other services that provide health care for struggling and marginalized Alabamians form the backbone of the health care system that protects us all," Arise's Jim Carnes writes in the Montgomery Advertiser. And the COVID-19 pandemic "only heightens the need for that system to be as strong as we can make it." Read more in [...]
Fact Sheet
Alabama Arise and partners urge Ivey to use every Medicaid tool available to save lives during COVID-19 pandemic
To: Gov. Kay Ivey and Commissioner Stephanie Azar From: The Undersigned Alabama Organizations Re: Alabama’s Policy Response to COVID-19 Date: March 19, 2020 Thank you both for your leadership, especially at this critical time. Alabama’s health care system, like most others around the world, is facing severe stresses with the COVID-19 pandemic. Seniors and people [...]
In the News
Coronavirus concerns have you stocking up? Keep WIC families in mind
"We're all in this together, and some families are struggling a lot more to just meet basic nutritional needs than are others, especially when kids are home from school," Arise's Carol Gundlach tells WBRC Fox 6 in Birmingham. Learn more from WBRC Fox 6 News.
Blog
Alabama Arise’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Here at Alabama Arise, we share the uncertainty and worry that many of you may feel about COVID-19 and how best to prepare ourselves, help our neighbors and speak out for adequate resources and aid. Our first priority is the physical and mental health and safety of our members, partners and staff, and of people [...]
Blog
COVID-19: 7 policy changes that would help protect Alabamians
The World Health Organization has labeled COVID-19 a global pandemic. And state officials announced the first confirmed case of the disease in Alabama on Friday. As the virus strains our health systems, schools and economy, we must ensure the most vulnerable Alabamians have the medical care, social supports and other protections they need to weather [...]
Blog
Arise legislative recap: March 13, 2020
We're excited to introduce you this week to Sherrel Wheeler Stewart, Arise's new story collection coordinator. In this video, Sherrel talks about her new position and explains how you can help her tell the stories of uninsured and underinsured Alabamians who live in the Medicaid coverage gap. If you'd like to share your story with [...]