U.S. Army Veteran: The Trump era isn’t politics as usual. It’s a betrayal of veterans like me

by | May 20, 2025 | Healthcare, Hurricane Helene, U.S. Politics, Veterans

This isn’t politics as usual. This is dangerous. Over the past few months, I’ve watched headlines roll in with a knot in my stomach. Cuts to vital veterans’ services. Mass layoffs of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ staff. Unelected power brokers unraveling programs that took decades to build, with no accountability to the American people. President Donald Trump, backed by the likes of Elon Musk, has allowed his political allies to gut federal agencies, including those that directly serve veterans and their families.

Ray Hemachandra: North Carolina should show we value everyone — including those with disabilities

Ray Hemachandra: North Carolina should show we value everyone — including those with disabilities

by | May 14, 2025 | Healthcare, Local Organizing, North Carolina, North Carolina Community, North Carolina State Politics

More than 14,000 North Carolinians with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive ‘Innovations Waiver’ benefits under Medicaid. My son is among those receiving help.

But thousands more North Carolinians with intellectual and developmental disabilities — almost 19,000 of them — are on the “Registry of Unmet Needs,” the waitlist to receive these services under Medicaid.