Judge Blocks Medicaid Work Requirement
Judge blocks Medicaid work requirements in Arkansas and Kentucky. NYT: "A federal judge on Wednesday threw out Medicaid work requirements in two states, a blow to Republican efforts to profoundly reshape a program that has provided free health insurance to the poorest Americans for more than 50 years. In twin rulings, Judge James E. Boasberg of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia rejected for a second time Kentucky’s attempt to require recipients to work or volunteer as a condition of coverage and blocked a similar rule in Arkansas, which has resulted in more than 18,000 people there losing coverage since last summer. So far, the Trump administration has allowed eight states to begin requiring many of their Medicaid recipients to work, volunteer or train for a job to be eligible for benefits. Seven other states are seeking permission from the Department of Health and Human Services to impose similar rules."
Mueller Grand Jury 'Continuing Robustly'
Mueller grand jury 'continuing robustly,' prosecutor says. Politico: "The special counsel grand jury that investigated Russian collusion into the 2016 presidential election is 'continuing robustly' despite the end of Robert Mueller’s probe, a federal prosecutor said in court Wednesday. The revelation — while laced with uncertainty — indicates that the ongoing cases Mueller handed off after concluding his probe could still feature significant developments, legal experts said. David Goodhand, an assistant U.S. attorney, acknowledged the grand jury’s active status during a hearing in U.S. District Court over a push to unveil the identity of a foreign state-owned firm that has been held in contempt for defying a Mueller subpoena."
Monsanto Found Liable For Roundup-Caused Cancer
Monsanto found liable for man's cancer, ordered to pay $80 million in damages. Common Dreams: "In a victory for consumers and yet another massive blow to Monsanto, a federal jury on Wednesday found the company liable for causing a California man's cancer and ordered it to pay $80 million in damages. 'The jury resoundingly held Monsanto accountable for its 40 years of corporate malfeasance and sent a message to Monsanto that it needs to change the way it does business,' said the legal team of 70-year-old Edwin Hardeman, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in 2015 after using Roundup on his property for more than two decades. 'It is clear from Monsanto's actions that it does not care whether Roundup causes cancer, focusing instead on manipulating public opinion and undermining anyone who raises genuine and legitimate concerns about Roundup,"' Hardeman's lawyers added."
Trump Threatens To Close Southern Border
Trump threatens to close southern border over migrant surge. Politico: "President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to close the U.S.-Mexico border, complaining that Mexico and several Central American countries were not doing enough to prevent the wave of migrants flooding north towards the U.S., an influx that border officials say is straining their resources. 'Mexico is doing NOTHING to help stop the flow of illegal immigrants to our Country. They are all talk and no action,' Trump tweeted. 'Likewise, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador have taken our money for years, and do Nothing. The Dems don’t care, such BAD laws. May close the Southern Border!' The president’s threat and his renewed gripes about Mexico and so-called Northern Triangle governments come as the number of migrant families arrested at the border soared this month, putting immigration officials at what U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan called a 'breaking point.'"
