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off the charts

POLICY INSIGHT
BEYOND THE NUMBERS

This week at CBPP, we focused on Social Security, health policy, the federal budget and taxes, the economy, state budgets and taxes, and food assistance.

On Social Security, CBPP President Robert Greenstein commented on the 2015 Social Security trustees’ report following Kathy Ruffing’s preview of the release.
On health policy, Paul Van de Water analyzed the 2015 Medicare trustees’ report. Judith Solomon highlighted a new Department of Health and Human Services report that shows how low-income families would be hurt by state-imposed Medicaid premiums and co-pays. As a part of our Medicaid at 50 series, Jesse Cross-Call pointed to Kentucky’s Medicaid expansion as an example of the benefits that await states if they expand Medicaid under health reform. Edwin Park explained that changing Medicaid’s current financing structure through a block grant or per capita cap would be unpopular and unjustified. Matt Broaddus detailed how Medicaid expands health care access and supports employment.
On the federal budget and taxes, a new report detailed a new round of damaging cuts in the 2016 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education House appropriations bill. Robert Greenstein underscored new research on how the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) lifts more people out of poverty than previously thought and boosts employment. Chuck Marr explained why turning over some tax collection — a core government function — to private debt collectors would be a misguided approach for the IRS.
On the economy, Isaac Shapiro marked the sixth anniversary since Washington last raised the minimum wage, which is approaching a historically low level.
On state budgets and taxes, Michael Leachman debunked the myth that raising taxes on the rich harms a state’s economy. Nick Albares noted that states can help working families by raising the minimum wage within their borders and by adopting or expanding a state EITC.
On food assistance, we updated our analysis of the implications of community eligibility for the education of disadvantaged students under Title I.

CBPP’s Chart of the Week: House 2016 Bill Deepens Domestic Cuts

A variety of news outlets featured CBPP’s work and experts recently. Here are some highlights:

Jeb Bush pushes to “phase out” Medicare
MSNBC
July 23, 2015

Is Social Security Really Going Broke?
Fox Business
July 23, 2015

Medicaid’s Many Long-Term Benefits for Kids
RealClearPolicy
July 20, 2015

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