Publications -- Welfare

Feb 28, 2002

ST #251 – Gaining Ground: Women, Welfare Reform and Work

Contrary to the expectations of many welfare reform critics, most of the women heading these families went to work. In fact, the  proportion of single mothers who work has increased dramatically since welfare reform, nearly matching the proportion leaving welfare.

Nov 15, 2001

BA #379 – Uninsured by Choice

The Census Bureau recently reported that the number of Americans without health insurance fell to around 38.7 million in 2000, down about 600,000 from 1999 and well below the record 44.3 million who were uninsured in 1998. However, with health care costs increasing and the economy slowing, many public health advocates are worried that this number might soon begin to rise. Why do more than 38 million Americans lack health insurance? Who are they?

Aug 10, 2000

BA #332 – Reducing the Social Security Benefits Tax

Since 1993, middle- and upper-income Social Security recipients have been subject to income tax on up to 85 percent of their benefits. On July 27, the House of Representatives voted to repeal this provision, leaving up to 50 percent of benefits still subject to taxation. The tax reduction would total $117.4 billion over 10 years. The vote was 265-159, with 213 Republicans and 52 Democrats in favor - a margin not large enough to override a presidential veto. The Senate must now consider the bill.

Jul 18, 2000

BA #328 – Does the Distribution of Income Affect Life Expectancy?

In the history of social thought, advocates of a more equal distribution of income have made many arguments to support their cause. Egalitarians are now advancing a new argument: inequality of income leads to poorer health.

Jun 16, 2000

BA #326 – School Choice in San Antonio

The Horizon Program, the most sweeping experiment in school choice ever attempted in the United States, began in 1998 in the Edgewood Independent School District (EISD) in San Antonio, Texas. The Children's Educational Opportunity (CEO) Foundation offered a privately funded full tuition scholarship to any low-income student in the district who wanted to attend another school, private or public. About 90 percent of the 13,500 students in the predominantly Hispanic district are considered economically disadvantaged.

Apr 19, 1999

BA #288 – A Prescription for Medicare Disaster

Suppose you're just turning 65 and you want to make sure that you have prescription drug coverage in addition to Medicare. You have four possibilities...

Jun 16, 1998

BA #271 – Patient Protection Accounts: Personal, Portable and Affordable

Although tax law generously subsidizes the employer payment of third-party health insurance premiums, it provides virtually no tax relief to those who pay medical bills directly. Thus the tax law encourages people to turn over all of their health care dollars to a third party. The results have not all been positive.

Dec 04, 1997

BG #143 – Making Welfare Work

Welfare reform that emphasizes putting welfare recipients to work is the most successful public policy initiative of this century.

Oct 01, 1997

BA #242 – Best and Worst Ideas for Insuring Children

The budget agreement passed by Congress and signed by President Clinton includes a provision giving the states $24 billion over five years to extend health insurance to more low-income uninsured children - basically those with family incomes below 200 percent of poverty, not eligible for Medicaid, not enrolled in a health plan or covered by health insurance.

Jun 23, 1997

BA #233 – One Last Chance For KidCare

As part of the recent budget agreement, President Clinton and Congressional leaders agreed to spend $16 billion over the next five years on health insurance for children. Now the question facing Congress is: What's the best way to spend the money?