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Josh Israel

@jeisrael.bsky.social
335 followers 261 following 737 posts

Senior reporter, The American Independent (He/him)

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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
“This is the Golden Age of America,” Trump said. “Our nation is doing better now than ever before.” ncarolinaindependent.com/economy/unem...
ncarolinaindependent.com
Unemployment rate rose nationwide in September
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the jobless rate was 4.2%.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
"Standing as a guardian for the public trust is something I’m very proud of. " -- Maine State Auditor @dunlapforcongress.bsky.social maineindependentnews.com/elections/ma...
maineindependentnews.com
Matt Dunlap says healthcare is voters’ top issue this November
The Democratic nominee for Maine's 2nd Congressional District spoke with the Maine Independent about how he'd tackle affordability.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Trump promised to drain the swamp. Now 89% of Americans believe government corruption is widespread -- the highest in the 20 years Gallup has polled the question. virginiaindependentnews.com/politics/mor...
virginiaindependentnews.com
More Americans are concerned about political corruption
89% of Americans believe government corruption is widespread, a Gallup poll found.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
“I’ve always believed that being an elected official is public service — not self service,” -- Iowa congressional nominee @lindsay4iowa.bsky.social iowaindependentnews.com/elections/li...
iowaindependentnews.com
Lindsay James releases plan for anti-corruption reforms
The Iowa state representative is running for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Ashley Hinson, who voted to preempt state and local regulation of data centers now says, "These decisions are best decided closer to the people, because it’s literally in their backyard.” iowaindependentnews.com/elections/hi...
iowaindependentnews.com
Hinson lauds local decisions on data centers but voted in House against state regulation
Iowa GOP US Rep. Ashley Hinson has received tens of thousands of dollars in donations from Google’s PAC and its lobbyists.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
"We recently saw that a Yale study came out and said universal healthcare coverage would save us over a trillion dollars annually and it would save over 114,000 people’s lives, and so that’s what needs to happen." - @angieforfl.bsky.social floridaindependentnews.com/elections/an...
floridaindependentnews.com
Angie Nixon says she’d end Trump’s ‘working-family taxes’
The Democratic Senate nominee says she will work to end President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the Iran war.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Now Byron Donalds claims he wants to regulate data centers as Florida governor. floridaindependentnews.com/elections/do...
floridaindependentnews.com
Donalds voted in the House to block states from regulating data center development
Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate Rep. Byron Donalds also supported huge tax cuts for companies that build large AI data centers.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Ramaswamy has said he was by then only a shareholder in the company and was not involved in the decision to move the company, but public filings indicate that he owned a controlling stake in the company at the time. ohioindependent.com/elections/ra...
ohioindependent.com
Ramaswamy-owned business left Ohio for Texas
Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy co-founded Strive Enterprises and was listed as majority owner when the company moved to Dallas in 2024.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
“Federal legislation oftentimes is the floor, the minimum standards. But the Ratepayer Protection plan doesn’t even establish that,” Ohio state Sen. @kentsmith.bsky.social said. “It’s a showhorse, not a workhorse.” ohioindependent.com/elections/hu...
ohioindependent.com
Husted’s data center bill would help industry, not consumers, critics say
Sen. Jon Husted's Ratepayer Protection Act would require states to consider protections for consumers.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Rogers claims to be the 'law and order' candidate, but voted against COPS funding, expanded hate-crime laws, gun safety, and dedicated health funding for 9/11 first responders. michiganindependent.com/politics/mik...
michiganindependent.com
Mike Rogers repeatedly voted against funding public safety
The former Michigan US representative is campaigning for Senate as the ‘law and order’ candidate.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"I think there’s a strong role the state can play, using its negotiating power, again, holding these drug companies accountable, and I certainly would use the state’s power to do just that" - Maine Democratic gubernatorial nominee @hannahpingree.bsky.social maineindependentnews.com/elections/ha...
maineindependentnews.com
Hannah Pingree discusses what it would take to build a more affordable Maine
The Democratic gubernatorial nominee says she will work to increase the housing supply and bring down health insurance costs.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
And yet now Max Miller wants Ohio to regulate data center development. ohioindependent.com/elections/ma...
ohioindependent.com
Max Miller voted in House to block states from regulating data center development
The Ohio Republican representative voted for billions of dollars in tax cuts for companies building large AI data centers.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Shelby County family farmer Daniel Rosmann: “We’ve already spent as much this year on diesel than we spent all of last year, and we haven’t even gotten to harvest yet. So, not looking forward to that.” iowaindependentnews.com/economy/in-i...
iowaindependentnews.com
In Iowa, high diesel costs are making farm improvements unaffordable
Shelby County farmer Daniel Rosmann says volatile fuel prices are increasing the unpredictability of farming.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
“Christina Bohannan does not want to abolish law enforcement," said PolitiFact Iowa in 2021. iowaindependentnews.com/elections/ho...
iowaindependentnews.com
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks ad repeats debunked ‘defund the police’ claim
The Iowa representative's campaign resurrects a bogus claim against Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
"Healthcare is a human right, not a privilege reserved for people who can afford it. Right now, Mainers are paying too damn much for care and Trump’s Medicaid cuts that Collins greenlit only made that worse." -- Troy Jackson. maineindependentnews.com/economy/troy...
maineindependentnews.com
Troy Jackson lays out affordability plan
The Democratic Senate nominee says he will work to lower prescription drug costs and provide health insurance for everyone.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
“People who work hard their entire lives should be able to retire with dignity. ... Social Security is a promise. I intend to keep it.” -- Troy Jackson maineindependentnews.com/economy/troy...
maineindependentnews.com
Troy Jackson proposes plan to strengthen Social Security
The Democratic Senate nominee would increase retirement benefits by requiring that ‘wealthy people pay the same rate that the rest of us do.’
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Gasoline in Iowa is now over $4.40 a gallon, compared to $2.64 before Trump attacked Iran. iowaindependentnews.com/economy/hins...
iowaindependentnews.com
Hinson says Iowans care less about war than about kitchen table issues
Gasoline prices are up more than 50% in Iowa since President Donald Trump began military strikes on Iran in February.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
One day after voting for H.R. 1, Miller-Meeks received a $1,000 campaign contribution from a registered lobbyist for the Data Center Coalition, the trade association representing the data center industry. iowaindependentnews.com/elections/mi...
iowaindependentnews.com
Miller-Meeks got donation from AI industry lobbyist after vote to protect data centers
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks voted in May 2025 to block state regulation of data centers.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Florida households have paid nearly $2,000 more due to Byron Donalds-backed tariffs and the war in Iran, analysts say. floridaindependentnews.com/economy/byro...
floridaindependentnews.com
Byron Donalds supported Trump administration actions that have fueled inflation
Florida households have paid nearly $2,000 more due to tariffs and the war in Iran, analysts say.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
“It’s inarguable that Medicaid expansion helped rural hospitals and health access. Compared to where we would be without it, it’s dramatic." -- Glenburn family physician Dr. Noah Nesin maineindependentnews.com/health-care/...
maineindependentnews.com
Paul LePage vetoed Maine Medicaid expansion six times
The Republican former governor backed Medicaid cuts and falsely claimed expansion hurt rural hospitals.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
The plan is also opposed by the private insurance industry, which has spent more than $1 million in support of Donalds’ gubernatorial campaign. floridaindependentnews.com/economy/dona...
floridaindependentnews.com
Donalds opposes Jolly’s state-run catastrophe insurance plan
The private insurance industry has spent more than $1 million in support of Republican Rep. Byron Donalds’ gubernatorial campaign.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
“They used the word affordability. Right? It’s fake. They are so fake, because it was them that caused the affordability, to use their word, crisis,” Trump said. “And I’m bringing the prices way down, way, way down.” virginiaindependentnews.com/economy/pric...
virginiaindependentnews.com
Prices continue to rise despite Trump’s promises to end inflation
President Donald Trump said in a Sept. 9 speech that he was lowering prices.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
According to a July report by the conservative-leaning Common Sense Institute Iowa, “Iowa will have a deficit of 8,102 homes in 2026.” iowaindependentnews.com/elections/ro...
iowaindependentnews.com
Rob Sand proposes plan to tackle Iowa’s shortage of affordable housing
The proposals are part of the Democratic gubernatorial candidate’s ‘Making Life More Affordable for Iowa Families’ agenda.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
One Democrat and three Republicans are running in the Nov. 3 general election to replace term-limited Gov. Mike Dunleavy. alaskaindependentnews.com/elections/wh...
alaskaindependentnews.com
What the Alaska gubernatorial candidates say about key issues
One Democrat and three Republicans are running in the Nov. 3 general election to replace term-limited Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
“It seems like we’re in this ‘Alice in Wonderland’ looking glass at accountability and justice in this state, but not for the people who we entrust to carry out our laws at that very highest level of state government” -Michael Barfield of FLCGA floridaindependentnews.com/politics/flo...
floridaindependentnews.com
Florida grand jury witness says Moody approved ‘misappropriation’ of state funds
The grand jury found that the DeSantis administration diverted $10 million in Medicaid settlement money to a foundation headed by Casey DeSantis.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
"I would say that at no point is a politician more qualified than a patient and their doctor to make a decision about their pregnancy." -- Gainesville attorney and mom Adelle Settle. virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/ad...
virginiaindependentnews.com
Adelle Settle shares why she backs Virginia’s reproductive freedom amendment
The Gainesville attorney and mom plans to vote yes on Question 1 this November.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
“Too many veterans face challenges finding housing they can afford, a good job, or even the ability to make ends meet after they put everything on the line. The least we can ask for, is for our elected leaders to stand up for us when we come home" -Tom Powers iowaindependentnews.com/elections/jo...
iowaindependentnews.com
Joe Mitchell voted in House to let landlords reject renters who receive housing assistance
Mitchell, now a Republican congressional nominee, voted to block counties and cities from requiring landlords to accept federal housing vouchers.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Republican former Maine Gov. Paul LePage vetoed more than 640 bills, though the Maine State Legislature overrode about half of those vetoes, overrides that had bipartisan support. maineindependentnews.com/politics/pau...
maineindependentnews.com
Paul LePage vetoed Medicaid expansion and higher wages as Maine governor
The two-term Republican governor is now promising to fight for lower costs as he runs for Congress.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
According to the Joint Economic Committee minority staff, Trump owned somewhere between $12.5M and $45.6M in oil and gas company stocks in 2025. Those stocks have gained about 39% in value in 2026, giving him a windfall of somewhere between $4.6M and $15.5M. ncarolinaindependent.com/politics/rep...
ncarolinaindependent.com
Report: Trump and Big Oil see financial windfall as Americans pay more at pump
President Donald Trump’s holdings of oil and gas stocks have gained millions of dollars in value since he began US military attacks on Iran, according to Congress’ Joint Economic Committee minority staff.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Since childhood, I've used the pneumonic device "HOMES" to remember the great lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior). How fitting that Trump would change it to be SHAME.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
"Ohioans are very aware that corrupt activities actually end up ripping us off,” Common Cause Ohio executive director Catherine Turcer said. “It ends up affecting our pocketbooks.” ohioindependent.com/elections/am...
ohioindependent.com
Amy Acton promotes plan to make Ohio government more ethical
The Democratic gubernatorial candidate says she would establish anti-corruption task forces to prevent future malfeasance in state government.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
“They’re not doing surgeries anymore, or they don’t have an OB department anymore. So then those patients are being transferred to us, leading to more stress on the larger hospitals.” --Abby Butler, RN on small hospitals in IA. iowaindependentnews.com/health-care/...
iowaindependentnews.com
Dubuque nurse says Medicaid cuts will mean worse healthcare for all Iowans
Abby Butler is a registered nurse and a leader in the Service Employees International Union.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
“Our concern is that if a hospital that’s 20 min. down the road from you closes, and you’re getting ready to have a baby, that maybe now the closest facility to safely deliver that baby is now 45 min. or two hrs. away from your home,” - Amber Bellazaire, MLPP michiganindependent.com/health-care/...
michiganindependent.com
Michigan’s rural hospitals closing, reducing service after Medicaid cuts
The 2025 federal budget cut about $1 trillion over 10 years from Medicaid and other federal health programs.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
In an October 2024 interview on the “Ezra Klein Show,” Ramaswamy was asked whether Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes. “I believe they were, with the benefit of retrospect, particularly Medicaid," he replied. ohioindependent.com/economy/vive...
ohioindependent.com
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
"When you have to pay a little bit more, you’re at $4. It’s OK. I mean, I’ll never apologize. I did the right thing.” -- Donald Trump on Aug. 14. virginiaindependentnews.com/economy/us-g...
virginiaindependentnews.com
US gas prices hover over $4 as Trump’s war in Iran continues
President Donald Trump promised in June and July that gasoline prices would soon drop significantly.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Susan Collins voted in 2003 to ban Medicare negotiating lower prices for Part D enrollees and then voted against the 2022 law that lifted that ban. maineindependentnews.com/health-care/...
maineindependentnews.com
Susan Collins has a record of voting against lower drug prices
The Maine Republican senator has received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the pharmaceutical industry during her career.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
“Troy believes health care is a human right, not a privilege reserved for people who can afford it,” a Jackson campaign spokesperson told the Maine Independent. maineindependentnews.com/health-care/...
maineindependentnews.com
Troy Jackson sponsored legislation to lower healthcare costs
While serving in the Maine Legislature, Jackson helped to pass bills to lower the cost of prescription medications and make insurance more affordable.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Ashley Hinson has voted with her fellow Republicans on 98.23% of votes this term, making her the least bipartisan member of Iowa's all-GOP House delegation. iowaindependentnews.com/economy/rep-...
iowaindependentnews.com
Rep. Ashley Hinson voted against legislation to lower costs for Iowans
The Iowa Republican opposed bipartisan bills to lower costs, halt the Iran war, and invest in infrastructure.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
“The plan that I had wasn’t even offered anymore. For the lowest-level plan that was going to be even within range, I was going to pay almost 2 1/2 times as much as I was paying the previous year.” -- Nora Pullen of Fayetteville georgiaindependent.com/health-care/...
georgiaindependent.com
110,000 Georgians lost insurance after Mike Collins and others voted against ACA subsidies
A majority of Republican House members voted against a three-year extension of a tax credit that helped people afford health insurance.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
A Trump administration official told the Wall Street Journal that 30% of Medicare Part D subscribers would see their monthly bills go up less than $10 a month and that 45% would see an increase of between $11 and $20. wisconsinindependent.com/health-care/...
wisconsinindependent.com
Trump administration to kill Medicare Part D prescription subsidy program
Millions of subscribers could see their prescription costs and premiums go up in 2027 without the program, experts say.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Some scientific studies have linked chemicals in herbicides and insecticides as well as animal waste and other agricultural byproducts to various forms of cancer. Pesticide manufacturers continue to stand behind the safety of their products. iowaindependentnews.com/elections/as...
iowaindependentnews.com
Ashley Hinson’s campaign has received $77,000 from pesticide and meat industry PACs
Pesticides and factory farm waste have been linked to cancer.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
“I think it’s very obvious that the patients that we take care of are feeling the pinch of this." -- Maquoketa community pharmacist Matt Osterhaus iowaindependentnews.com/economy/phar...
iowaindependentnews.com
Iowa community pharmacists say Medicaid cuts are hurting business and rural customers
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 included $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and other federal health programs over a decade.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
“I think it’s very obvious that the patients that we take care of are feeling the pinch of this." -- Maquoketa community pharmacist Matt Osterhaus iowaindependentnews.com/economy/phar...
iowaindependentnews.com
Iowa community pharmacists say Medicaid cuts are hurting business and rural customers
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 included $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and other federal health programs over a decade.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
“A moratorium is what’s needed in order to keep any data centers from being built. But what’s important is what policies do we put in place later, before any data centers are actually built in the state of Florida" -- Javier Estevez of Sierra Club Florida floridaindependentnews.com/elections/wh...
floridaindependentnews.com
Where the Florida gubernatorial candidates stand on AI data centers
A recent statewide poll found 68% of likely Florida voters oppose building an artificial intelligence data center in their local area.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Democratic Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek has cast at least 775 votes for legislation that had support from members of both parties, earning him recognition as one of Iowa’s most effective lawmakers and the legislators showing the most bipartisanship. iowaindependentnews.com/elections/st...
iowaindependentnews.com
State Rep. Josh Turek has voted for bipartisan bills to lower costs
Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek and Republican US Rep. Ashley Hinson are running for Iowa’s open Senate seat.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
"If you’re going to tell it that you’re the people’s candidate, it doesn’t help to take a lot of funds from one of those special interest groups that are part of the reason that people have low trust in Congress.” -- Abigail Bellows of Common Cause iowaindependentnews.com/elections/jo...
iowaindependentnews.com
Joe Mitchell has received thousands of dollars in donations from corporate interest PACs
Republican former state Rep. Joe Mitchell is running for Iowa’s open 2nd Congressional District seat.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
“It creates a crunch on our budget, but we can make it happen. But I know people that simply cannot afford that. I mean, most people probably can’t afford $1,500 a month, and then a plan that has a $7,500 deductible for an individual" - Karl Vilums. iowaindependentnews.com/health-care/...
iowaindependentnews.com
21,000 Iowans have dropped health insurance since expiration of ACA subsidies
A majority of Republican House members voted against a three-year extension of a tax credit that helped people afford health insurance.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
"The only people who should be making these decisions are patients and their doctors, full stop." -- Amanda Pittman of Richmond. virginiaindependentnews.com/health-care/...
virginiaindependentnews.com
Richmond resident Amanda Pittman explains her yes vote on reproductive rights amendment
'Without full body autonomy, we can't be free in this country,' Pittman says.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
“Iowans are watching their health care disappear, their neighbors lose jobs, and their communities struggle because our representatives chose billionaires over families,” said Mazie Stilwell, executive director of Progress Iowa. iowaindependentnews.com/health-care/...
iowaindependentnews.com
Report: In year one, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has hurt Iowa’s healthcare, economy
Iowa hospitals and clinics have closed or reduced coverage, and over 600,000 Iowans are struggling to pay for insurance.
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Josh Israel @jeisrael.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
“I wanted to keep the similar plan and be able to access the same medications. It would have jumped up to paying $1,045 a month, which is astonishing. It’s higher than my mortgage. ... I had to just let go of the health insurance.” -- Cat Jaramilllo floridaindependentnews.com/health-care/...
floridaindependentnews.com
440,000 fewer Floridians are enrolled in ACA marketplace plans since subsidies expired
In December, the Republican majority in the US Senate blocked a three-year extension of a tax credit that helped people afford health insurance.
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