In Case You Missed It… | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

off the charts

POLICY INSIGHT
BEYOND THE NUMBERS

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

On health, Jesse Cross-Call noted that hundreds of thousands of Virginians will gain health coverage from the state’s Medicaid expansion, but that eligibility restrictions will lessen the gains. Judith Solomon described how complex state Medicaid changes taking coverage away from people who don’t work or engage in work activities for a set number of hours each month will likely cost many people coverage. Hannah Katch warned that a Trump Administration proposal that would exclude qualified family planning providers from the Title X family planning program will restrict access to essential family planning and other health care services and cause harm. Tara Straw pointed out that New Jersey’s enactment of a mandate that individuals obtain health insurance is a big step toward shoring up the state’s insurance market.
On housing, Douglas Rice urged the Senate Appropriations Committee to make renewing rental aid a priority. We also issued a policy brief explaining how the proposed Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration would improve families’ access to high-opportunity areas.
On state taxes, Michael Leachman explained that an Arizona ballot measure would finance a school funding boost while making the tax code less regressive.
On federal taxes, Emily Horton cited a tax planner’s advice to drive wealthy clients through a “gaping hole” in the tax code as evidence of the 2017 tax law’s fundamental flaws. We also showed how the law weakens the estate tax, benefiting the wealthiest and expanding opportunities for tax avoidance.
On Social Security, Kathleen Romig highlighted a new study that shows how geographic concentration of poor health explains most of the so-called “Disability Belt.”
On food assistance, Stacy Dean unveiled a new series of videos showing how SNAP works for different people and urging policymakers not to make changes to SNAP that would increase food insecurity and hardship.
On the economy, we updated our chart book on the legacy of the Great Recession, as well as our policy basic on how many weeks of unemployment compensation are available.

Chart of the Week: Under 2017 Tax Law, Number of Estates Facing Estate Tax Will Continue to Plummet

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

IRS chief says Trump’s budget would sharply cut taxpayer service
Washington Post
June 1, 2018

Report: Rural Poverty In America Is 'An Emergency'
NPR
May 31, 2018

Virginia set to expand Medicaid in policy win for Democrats
CNN
May 30, 2018

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