Health Equity & Access Weekly Roundup: January 16, 2026

5 FAQs About ICHRAs: What to Know as ACA Subsidy Extensions Stall

The House voted to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies for 3 years, but the measure likely lacks sufficient support in the Senate, leaving the subsidies’ future uncertain and prompting renewed attention to individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (ICHRAs). As higher premiums loom for individuals and employers, ICHRAs—employer-funded, tax-advantaged accounts that help employees purchase individual market coverage—are being promoted as a flexible alternative to traditional employer-sponsored insurance. Supporters say ICHRAs allow employers to control costs and give workers more choice, but critics warn they may not fully offset rising premiums, could limit access to ACA subsidies for some workers, and risk widening disparities due to narrower provider networks.

Advocates Mobilize Nationwide as Administration Walks Back SAMHSA Grant Cuts

The Trump administration late Wednesday reversed its decision to terminate thousands of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants, restoring more than $1.9 billion in funding less than 24 hours after nonprofits received cancellation notices. The move followed swift, bipartisan pushback from mental health advocates and providers, including a nationwide advocacy effort by the National Alliance on Mental Illness that mobilized 16,000 constituents to contact Congress. Advocates warned the cuts would have immediately disrupted community-based mental health and addiction services and compounded strains from recent Medicaid reductions, putting lives at risk.

Law Enforcement in EDs: Impacts on Survivors of Violence, Marginalized Communities

Unclear rules and limited training around law enforcement presence in emergency departments (EDs) can create tension and unintended harm for survivors of violence, particularly Black patients, and may deter engagement in care, a recent study found. Interviews with survivors, hospital-based violence intervention program staff, and law enforcement identified shared concerns about inappropriate timing of police questioning, lack of trauma-informed training, and confusion over roles and patient rights. The researchers concluded that clearer policies, formal training, and stronger integration of survivor advocates in the ED could improve patient experiences, protect rights, and support recovery.

Knowledge Gaps Persist in Patient Understanding of Skin Cancer–Related Terms

A research letter in JAMA Dermatology found that patient understanding of commonly used skin cancer–related terms varies widely by demographic factors and terminology, underscoring communication gaps in dermatologic care. In a survey of patients at a Boston dermatology clinic, overall comprehension averaged below 75%, even among older adults and those with multiple prior dermatology visits, with younger patients scoring significantly lower. Whereas terms such as benign, malignant, and melanoma were widely understood, others—including clear margins, squamous cell carcinoma, dysplastic nevus, and actinic—were poorly recognized. The findings highlight the need for dermatologists to use clearer, more accessible language and improve patient education during clinical visits.

Volunteering Linked to Lower Diabetes Risk in Black Adolescents From Low-Income Households

A new study found that volunteering during adolescence is associated with better cardiometabolic health among Black youth from lower-income families, including lower metabolic syndrome scores and reduced odds of developing diabetes in adulthood. Across 2 cohorts, more frequent volunteering was linked to healthier metabolic profiles, and adolescents who volunteered had nearly half the risk of diabetes by age 29 years compared with nonvolunteers. The researchers identified purpose in life as a key mediator, suggesting that altruistic activities may promote both psychological well-being and long-term physical health while helping address health disparities.