BEYOND THE NUMBERS
In Case You Missed It . . .
This week at CBPP, we focused on the federal budget and taxes, health care, housing, poverty and inequality, and food assistance.
- On the federal budget and taxes, Robert Greenstein called on Congress to create bipartisan solutions for the critical issues it faces this fall, including the debt ceiling, appropriations, disaster relief, health care, and taxes. Chuck Marr, Chye-Ching Huang, and Brendan Duke noted that tax reform plans should not lose revenue and should focus on raising working-class incomes. Paul N. Van de Water explained that federal spending and revenues will need to grow in coming years because of the aging population, rising health care costs, national security threats, and infrastructure needs. He also summarized these findings, saying that at an absolute minimum policymakers should insist that tax reform not lose revenues in the next decade or beyond. We also updated our backgrounder detailing the sources of federal tax revenues.
Isaac Shapiro, Richard Kogan, and Chloe Cho detailed how the 2018 House Republican budget plan would cut programs serving low- and moderate-income people by $2.9 trillion over the next decade. Kogan listed five key points about the House budget plan and analyzed the plan’s effect on the deficit. David Reich highlighted a number of ways in which the plan wouldn’t meet national needs.
- On health, Sarah Lueck and Jessica Schubel explained that “section 1332” waivers allow states to modify how they implement some elements of the Affordable Care Act, but do not give them sweeping authority without limits. Jesse Cross-Call warned that state funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program will begin running out in December unless President Trump and Congress act. We also updated our Sabotage Watch tracker.
- On housing, Will Fischer described how the Trump Administration suspended part of a 2016 rule designed to reduce segregation and expand opportunities for low-income families with Housing Choice Vouchers.
- On poverty and inequality, Arloc Sherman and Matt Broaddus previewed the Census Bureau’s release next week of data on poverty, income, and health insurance coverage in 2016.
- On food assistance, Brynne Keith-Jennings noted that the share of families experiencing food insecurity remains above pre-recession levels.
Chart of the week - Spending Needs Will Grow
A variety of news outlets featured CBPP’s work and experts recently. Here are some highlights:
Your Coming Tax Increase
The New York Times
September 7, 2017
Why the U.S. Government Can't Be Downsized
Bloomberg
September 7, 2017
There’s one Obamacare repeal bill left standing. Here’s what’s in it
Washington Post
September 6, 2017
Donald Trump Woos Democratic Senator With Another Tax Speech Light On Details
Huffington Post
September 6, 2017
The looming fight over “tax reform,” explained
Vox
September 5, 2017
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