Consider This from NPR Pandemic Era Benefits Made A Big Dent In Poverty. So Why Did They End?
Oct 30, 2023
Elizabeth Ananat, an economics professor at Barnard and former senior economist, dives into the critical role of pandemic-era benefits in reducing poverty. She shares impactful personal stories, highlighting the struggles faced by those who lost these vital supports. Ananat discusses the importance of the child tax credit and the challenges linked to reinstated work requirements. Her insights reveal not just the immediate effects of benefit expirations, but the ongoing fight for sustainable support in America.
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Medicaid Loss Hardship
- Joshua Davis, who has an autoimmune disease, lost his Medicaid coverage due to increased income.
- Now, he struggles to afford his treatment and faces high premiums with his new private insurance.
Child Tax Credit Impact
- Angel Jackson, a single mom, benefited from the expanded child tax credit during the pandemic.
- The extra funds allowed her to afford essential items for her son like school supplies and haircuts.
Free Lunches a Lifeline
- Amy Bouchard and her husband, laid off during the pandemic, relied on free school lunches for their children.
- Bouchard's initial fear was food insecurity amidst job losses.