This series of reports examines the research on the impacts and accomplishments of government programs that assist low-income families and individuals.  Each report includes state-by-state data on the number of the people assisted by the program. Additional reports in this series will be forthcoming. � Public benefit programs cut the number of poor Americans nearly in half, from 58 million to 31 million. � Medicaid has been shown to reduce infant mortality and child deaths and to increase the likelihood that low-income women receive preventive screening for breast cancer and cervical cancer. � While 40 years ago hunger and malnutrition were not uncommon in some poor areas of the country, the federal Food Stamp Program and other nutrition assistance programs such as WIC and the school meals programs have made severe hunger rare in America today. � By increasing the rewards of low-wage employment, the Earned Income Tax Credit has substantially raised the proportion of single mothers who work, while lifting 2.7 million children out of poverty (in 2002). � Nearly three million people with severe mental impairments receive help from the Supplemental Security Income program, which enables many of them to live independently.     Center on Budget and Policy Priorities 820 1st Street, NE, #510 Washington, DC 20002 Ph: 202-408-1080 Fax: 202-408-1056 [email protected] Contact the web team with questions or comments about the site