This week at CBPP, we focused on health, poverty and inequality, state budgets and taxes, the federal budget, food assistance, and the economy.

• On health, Jessica Schubel and Jennifer Wagner reported that state Medicaid changes can improve access to coverage and care during and after the COVID-19 crisis. Matt Broaddus pointed out that Medicaid enrollment continues to rise. We reported on how using SNAP data for Medicaid renewals can keep eligible beneficiaries enrolled, and we posted a tool to help evaluate state Medicaid programs.
   
• On poverty and inequality, Sharon Parrott stated that with millions facing serious hardship, the McConnell plan doesn’t meet the nation’s needs. Arloc Sherman noted that the pandemic could skew official poverty figures for 2019. He and Matt Broaddus previewed next week’s Census data on poverty, income, and health insurance. We updated our tracker of the COVID-19 recession’s effects on food, housing, and employment hardships.
   
• On state budgets and taxes, Elizabeth McNichol explained that states can expect more damaging cuts without more federal aid. Wesley Tharpe pointed out that federal aid is needed to reverse deep public-sector job cuts, including in education.
   
• On the federal budget, Paul N. Van de Water explained that more economic relief is needed, despite rising debt. He and Richard Kogan detailed why rising debt should not shortchange the response to the COVID-19 crisis.
   
• On food assistance, Brynne Keith-Jennings pointed out that food need is very high compared to pre-pandemic levels, making relief imperative.
   
• On the economy, we updated our backgrounder on how many weeks of unemployment compensation are available and our chart book tracking the post-Great Recession economy.

Chart of the Week — Medicaid Enrollment Rising Steadily in COVID-19 Recession

A variety of news outlets featured CBPP’s work and experts this past week. Here are some of the highlights:

Millions of unemployed left hanging on coronavirus relief as Congress hits ‘dead end street’
Washington Post
September 11, 2020

The Widening Education Gap May Tear the Economy Apart
Bloomberg News
September 11, 2020

1 in 10 Americans are struggling to afford enough food amid the pandemic
CNBC
September 10, 2020

With Rule Changes, Trump Launches ‘an Attack on Fair Housing From All Sides’
Bloomberg CityLab
September 9, 2020

Federal assistance needed as COVID-19 continues to devastate low-income households
Boston Globe
September 9, 2020

Divide between Democrats, Republicans widens over coronavirus relief
Roll Call
September 8, 2020

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