BEYOND THE NUMBERS
In Case You Missed It...
This week at CBPP, we focused on the new Census data on poverty, income, and health coverage in 2020, the federal budget, federal taxes, health, housing, state budgets and taxes, and the economy.
- On the new Census data, Arloc Sherman and Gideon Lukens previewed five things to look for in the data. CBPP President Sharon Parrott released a statement noting that the data show vigorous policies kept 53 million people above the poverty line last year. Lukens analyzed data showing no spike in the uninsured rate from 2018-2020, but a coverage gap in states that haven’t expanded Medicaid.
- On the federal budget, Parrott released a statement on how the House Build Back Better legislation would advance economic justice and racial equity.
- On federal taxes, Kris Cox and Chuck Marr explained how a House Ways and Means Committee bill (part of Build Back Better) takes major steps forward for children and low-paid workers. Marr and Samantha Jacoby pointed out that new revenue-raising legislation from the committee is a major step forward, but additional steps are available. George Fenton detailed how the legislation’s tobacco taxes reduce health disparities and raise needed revenue. Marr and Jacoby outlined five key points on information reporting to reduce the tax gap. Jacoby explained how President Biden’s plan to rebuild the IRS would advance racial equity.
- On health, Jennifer Sullivan, Anna Bailey, and Jennifer Wagner described how Build Back Better legislation makes major Medicaid improvements. Judith Solomon explained how the legislation would close the Medicaid coverage gap. Sarah Lueck described how the legislation’s permanent marketplace improvements would expand affordable coverage.
- On housing, Anna Bailey emphasized how the targeted housing voucher expansion in Build Back Better is critical to housing stability for people with the greatest barriers. We also released fact sheets detailing how housing vouchers can help end homelessness and the cycle of incarceration, assist people with behavioral health challenges, and help disabled people afford homes in the community.
- On state budgets and taxes, Cortney Sanders and Michael Leachman explained how eliminating criminal justice fees and reforming fines is step one to an antiracist state revenue policy.
- On the economy, we updated our backgrounder on how many weeks of unemployment compensation are currently available.
Chart of the Week – Government Aid Brought Annual Poverty to Record Low in 2020. Not Counting That Assistance, Poverty Would Have Risen Sharply.
A variety of news outlets featured CBPP’s work and experts recently. Here are some highlights:
There’s more to ‘Build Back Better’ than its price tag
Los Angeles Times
September 17, 2021
One chart shows how the Democratic tax plan helps most Americans a lot more than the Trump cuts
Business Insider
September 17, 2021
To Get Public Assistance, These Single Mothers Are Forced to Share Intimate Details About Their Families
ProPublica
September 17, 2021
Workers may soon be entitled to paid family leave. Here’s what it would look like
CNBC
September 16, 2021
Despite Pandemic, Poverty Declined Thanks To Stimulus Checks
HuffPost
September 14, 2021
Insured Population Holds Steady, With a Slight Shift From Private to Public Coverage
Kaiser Health News
September 14, 2021
The $3.5 Trillion Question
New York Times
September 13, 2021
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