How many households missed out on CalEITC, and why?
The California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) provides financial support to Californians with low incomes, but many of these households may not receive the tax credit because they are not required to file taxes. Researchers at the California Policy Lab analyzed enrollment data for CalFresh, the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, to determine how many enrollees were also eligible for the CalEITC but didn’t receive it. They found 47 percent of those eligible did not claim the CalEITC and missed out on an average credit of $172, totaling $76 million in unclaimed state credits.
COVID-19 has highlighted racial, ethnic, and gender disparities that existed long before this pandemic. As the United States recovers from the health and economic fallout, it will be critical to adequately support the most vulnerable communities. A new Policies for Action analysis
(PDF) confirms disparate health and economic effects and offers actionable solutions for a more equitable recovery.
How do Medicaid and Marketplace enrollment compare in Colorado?
The Affordable Care Act created two new coverage options for uninsured adults: expanded Medicaid and private Marketplace coverage, allowing millions to gain insurance coverage. How enrollment rates compare in Marketplace and Medicaid plans is an important question as policymakers weigh alternatives. Researchers at Columbia University and Harvard University assessed the difference in these two programs for adults with low incomes in Colorado and found Marketplace enrollment was 81.3 percent lower than Medicaid enrollment in 2014 and 88.6 percent lower in 2015 among those close to the eligibility threshold. Substantial gaps in publicly subsidized private coverage may have existed for those with incomes
just beyond the reach of Medicaid expansion, especially among younger adults.
