In Case You Missed It...

This week on Off the Charts, we focused on the new Census Bureau data on poverty, income, and health coverage; the federal budget and taxes, housing, food assistance, and state budgets and taxes.

• On Census Bureau data, we excerpted Robert Greenstein’s statement.  Danilo Trisi explained why the Census Bureau’s official poverty rate provides a real but incomplete picture of poverty and anti-poverty policies in the United States and noted that income inequality remained near a record high in 2013.  Matt Broaddus highlighted improvements in uninsured rates but found wide disparities in health coverage among certain groups of Americans.  He also noted that states that have expanded Medicaid had lower uninsured rates in 2013 (before the expansion took effect) than non-expansion states, which are falling further behind in 2014.  In addition, he analyzed new figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that show that the number of uninsured fell in the first quarter of 2014 by 3.8 million.  Paul Van de Water highlighted the rise in full-time work in the Census data, which undercuts claims that health reform is causing large increase in part-time employment.  Sharon Parrott noted that despite gains for families with children, poverty is still higher and incomes are still lower than before the recession.  Erica Williams pointed out that poverty remained above pre-recession levels for 47 states in 2013 and explained how states can reduce child poverty.
• On the federal budget and taxes, Chye-Ching Huang debunked myths about corporate inversions on a Heritage Foundation panel.  Chuck Marr raised concern over a House Republican bill that would make permanent certain tax “extenders” and bonus depreciation.
• On housing, Douglas Rice explained why policymakers should make a priority of fully restoring housing vouchers lost to 2013 sequestration budget cuts.
• On food assistance, Brynne Keith-Jennings described a Brookings Institution report that found that the health of caregivers, access to stable housing, and child care can influence children’s food insecurity.
• On state budgets and taxes, Elizabeth McNichol pointed to a new report from Standard & Poor’s that finds that growing income inequality in recent decades has slowed state tax collections.

Robert Greenstein issued a statement about the newly released Census Bureau data on poverty, income, and health coverage.  We posted the recording from our media briefing following the release of the Census Bureau’s new figures.  We also posted information about our SNAP Academy webinar series that seeks to educate states and local advocates, application assisters, and outreach workers with information on the program.

CBPP’s Chart of the Week:

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

Is Obamacare causing a surge in part-time work?
CBS News
September 18, 2014 

Poverty rate posts 1st notable drop since '06; Latinos show big strides
Los Angeles Times
September 16, 2014

U.S. Incomes End 6-Year Decline, Just Barely
Wall Street Journal
September 16, 2014

Incomes for Most Americans Won’t Budge 
The New York Times
September 16, 2014

Poverty in U.S. Declines for First Time Since Before Recession
Bloomberg News
September 16, 2014

Beacon Hill needs legislative fiscal office
Boston Globe
September 15, 2014

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