House candidates proposed expanding Medicaid protections, reversing cuts to the ACA, funding women-focused services, and other reforms to address Louisiana's high maternal mortality, especially for Black mothers.

Vic Hartman, executive director and general counsel of the Illinois Human Rights Commission, told the Senate Appropriations panel on Jan. 15 the agency needs a $25,000 budget adjustment after expected HUD payments for last year’s fair-housing work have not arrived; Hartman warned proposed HUD rules could limit the Commission’s ability to enforce gender-identity protections and disparate-impact claims.