The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everything from the economy to child care, and reshaped thinking about investments in energy infrastructure. BPC's Bill Hoagland warns that Congress is running out of time to decide on whether to expand the unemployment benefits set to expire at the end of the month, while Maggie Cordish makes the case for expanding paid family leave benefits and Sasha Mackler outlines how modernizing the U.S. energy system could lead to long-term economic prosperity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified major issues in the U.S. health care system. To improve the health of low-income Americans both now and after the pandemic, policymakers should take a comprehensive approach to primary care that addresses the insufficient resources for primary care innovation, workforce shortages, lack of affordable insurance, and ongoing racial, ethnic, and economic disparities within the Medicaid program.

America’s colleges and universities continue to grapple with the economic fallout from COVID-19 with many schools commencing hiring freezes, layoffs, and furloughs as they face the prolonged threat of diminishing revenues and state budget cuts. The result could likely be compromised quality and a painful surge of college closures, which is why Congress must act swiftly to protect students, faculty, and staff to stabilize higher education budgets.

For an industry vital to restarting the economy, the child care sector only received 5% of all funds lent through the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program. As of June 30, there is more than $130 billion in remaining PPP funds that have yet to be accessed. As Congress considers how to target these remaining funds, it must recognize how PPP has fallen short in supporting child care.