FEDERAL THREATS TO HEALTH & NUTRITION
LATEST UPDATE ON HEALTH COVERAGE
On January 1st, over 643,000 Tennesseans lost the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits that made health coverage affordable through the ACA Marketplace. Congress failed to extend those tax credits when they expired December 31st. Most Tennessee families with ACA coverage have seen their premiums more than double in 2026. Over 200,000 Tennesseans are becoming uninsured.
Use our letter to urge your elected officials to extend these critical credits and keep health care affordable for families across our state.
TAKE ACTION!
LATEST UPDATE ON SNAP
SNAP Participation by Congressional District
Hover and click for district SNAP participation numbers.
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO
Tell Congress to put people over politics and fully fund SNAP!
As of November 12th, 2025, some Tennessee families who qualify and are enrolled in SNAP have received a portion of their November benefits. It remains unclear when the remaining benefits will be issued to all eligible SNAP recipients across the state.
Until full benefits are restored, contact Governor Lee and Congress to demand that full SNAP benefits are restored for November and never let SNAP benefits be blocked from reaching eligible households in the future.
FOOD RESOURCES
If you are looking for food resources in your community, use the links below to find food near you.
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Feeding America (Statewide)
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Find Your Local Food Bank HERE
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FindHelp.org (Statewide)
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Learn more HERE
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If your organization is not listed above and you would like to be, please contact us at communicationstjc@tnjustice.org.
MORE WAYS TO ADVOCATE
SUMMER EBT IN TENNESSEE
End summer hunger, bring back Summer EBT for Tennessee children!
Despite public outcry for Summer EBT, Governor Lee stays silent. Elected officials, parents, community organizations, faith leaders, and others have urged the Governor to opt into the program.
Summer EBT provides $120 to children during the summer who receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year. Though a modest amount, the benefits go a long way in bridging the gap when school lunch is not available.
The first deadline of January 1, 2026, has passed without an intent to apply expressed by the Governor. However, the final state S-EBT plan is due February 15, 2026, so we continue to encourage the Governor to opt into the program to feed 700,000 Tennessee children.
Without school meals during the summertime, many children face hunger. Summer EBT helps families feed their children.
Call Governor Lee at (615)741-2001 to bring Summer EBT back to Tennessee in 2026.
Send Governor Lee a letter using our pre-written form below:
The Wednesday Brief:
Health & Nutrition in Focus
Every Wednesday | 11:30 AM CT
Join TJC every Wednesday at 11:30 AM CT to stay informed about the federal changes affecting public benefits programs such as Medicaid, Marketplace coverage, SNAP, and more.
This is a series of weekly check-ins to share vital information, where we’ll break down the latest congressional developments as they occur and explain how you can make a difference!
If you want to watch more recordings from our Health & Nutrition series, click the button below to be directed to our Youtube Playlist with all videos:
REAL STORIES. REAL PEOPLE.
SHARE YOUR STORY
We must lift up our neighbors who have no access to health insurance, face barriers to SNAP, have delayed care, as well as those who are thriving because of public programs like TennCare and SNAP. Sharing personal experiences with these programs are critical tools in changing the hearts and minds of decision-makers, and TJC is here to support you in amplifying that story.
