In Case You Missed It...

This week on Off the Charts, we focused on the economy, the budget deficit, inadequate health insurance plans, and elderly and disabled refugees losing much-needed benefits.

• On the economy, Chad Stone analyzed the September jobs report with a series of charts.  Nick Johnson pointed out that “state and local governments eliminated 83,000 jobs in September, and most of the lost jobs — some 50,000 of them — were in education.” Elizabeth McNichol discussed our updated analysis of state budget shortfalls due to the recession.
• On the deficit, we posted the webcast from the America’s Fiscal Future conference we co- sponsored with The Century Foundation, Demos, and the Economic Policy Institute, which featured a number of prominent economists and budget experts.  Paul Van de Water explained why a new deficit-reduction proposal could drive up health care premiums and cause more people to go without insurance.  Paul also debunked myths about Social Security, explaining that the program is on sound financial footing.

• On health reform, Edwin Park discussed the inadequacy of many of the health care plans offered to low-wage workers and explained how the Affordable Care Act will help consumers and employers find better, affordable health insurance.
• On elderly and disabled refugees, Kathy Ruffing noted that many will lose their much-needed SSI benefits over the coming year unless Congress gives them extra time to become citizens.

In other news, the Center released a report and podcast on understanding the Social Security trust funds; a report on a new deficit proposal that would jeopardize health reform; and a statement, podcast, and chart book on the September jobs report.