- The Census Bureau reported that the poverty rate in the United States fell to 9.1 percent, a record low, last year while the uninsured rate held steady at 8.6 percent. However, there are important caveats with both figures. First, the poverty figure is based on a measure that accounts for the impact of government programs. Researchers estimate that the “real” measure of poverty rose to 11.4 percent. Second, the agency acknowledged its numbers are off because of issues receiving survey responses during the pandemic. For example, the data show that Medicaid enrollment did not increase in 2020, contradicting other federal data that found enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP increased by 14 percent from February 2020 to February 2021. (Articles here, here, here, here, and here)
- The Department of Justice asked a federal judge to temporarily block Texas from enforcing its restrictive new abortion law. The emergency motion argues that “this relief is necessary to protect the constitutional rights of women in Texas and the sovereign interest of the United States.” It’s the latest development in the Biden administration’s efforts to unwind the law, which bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. (Articles here, here, here, here, and here)
September 15, 2021
Access & Coverage