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Amid a Pandemic, Trump Moves Forward With Safety Net Cuts Amid a Pandemic, Trump Moves Forward With Safety Net Cuts
(about 16 hours later)
WASHINGTON — Despite the worsening pandemic, the Trump administration is pushing ahead with tougher work requirements for food stamps, and so far has not offered states the opportunity to cover the uninsured on an emergency basis under Medicaid.WASHINGTON — Despite the worsening pandemic, the Trump administration is pushing ahead with tougher work requirements for food stamps, and so far has not offered states the opportunity to cover the uninsured on an emergency basis under Medicaid.
The coronavirus appears ready to upend the economic landscape, especially for low-wage workers who could face layoffs as restaurants and entertainment venues empty, travelers hunker down, and school systems close. But so far the administration has declined to change course on its efforts to shrink the social safety net.The coronavirus appears ready to upend the economic landscape, especially for low-wage workers who could face layoffs as restaurants and entertainment venues empty, travelers hunker down, and school systems close. But so far the administration has declined to change course on its efforts to shrink the social safety net.
The Agriculture Department completed its food-stamp rule in December, arguing that the strong economy and tight labor market made it appropriate to require that unemployed, able-bodied adults without children find work to continue receiving assistance. The department estimated that nearly 700,000 people would lose their benefits under the change to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps.The Agriculture Department completed its food-stamp rule in December, arguing that the strong economy and tight labor market made it appropriate to require that unemployed, able-bodied adults without children find work to continue receiving assistance. The department estimated that nearly 700,000 people would lose their benefits under the change to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps.
Democrats and anti-poverty groups pleaded this week for the department to suspend the rule.Democrats and anti-poverty groups pleaded this week for the department to suspend the rule.
“Enacting any such changes during this time will only exacerbate current economic anxiety and unnecessarily increase the burden on the very people who need assistance,” Representatives Sanford D. Bishop Jr., Democrat of Georgia, and Rosa DeLauro, Democrat of Connecticut, wrote in a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.“Enacting any such changes during this time will only exacerbate current economic anxiety and unnecessarily increase the burden on the very people who need assistance,” Representatives Sanford D. Bishop Jr., Democrat of Georgia, and Rosa DeLauro, Democrat of Connecticut, wrote in a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.
During a hearing of the House Appropriations Committee this week, Mr. Perdue said that flexibility had been built into the program’s work requirements.During a hearing of the House Appropriations Committee this week, Mr. Perdue said that flexibility had been built into the program’s work requirements.
“Obviously if your job says you can’t come to work, or you’re sick in that way,” he said, the work requirements would be suspended. The states will determine what counts as “good cause” to suspend the rule.“Obviously if your job says you can’t come to work, or you’re sick in that way,” he said, the work requirements would be suspended. The states will determine what counts as “good cause” to suspend the rule.
But experts say the “good cause” measure typically applies to people who are already meeting the work requirement and miss work because of an illness or transportation issues, not those who cannot find work.But experts say the “good cause” measure typically applies to people who are already meeting the work requirement and miss work because of an illness or transportation issues, not those who cannot find work.
Ed Bolen, a policy analyst at the liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said the secretary could provide clarity by making clear that “due to a public health emergency or pandemic, states can either use blanket sorts of waivers or exempt people from the work requirement."Ed Bolen, a policy analyst at the liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said the secretary could provide clarity by making clear that “due to a public health emergency or pandemic, states can either use blanket sorts of waivers or exempt people from the work requirement."
On Friday, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted a preliminary injunction to stop the food-stamp rule from going into effect. The decision came after fourteen states, New York City and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration in January to block the new rule, accusing the administration of doing an illegal end run around Congress.On Friday, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted a preliminary injunction to stop the food-stamp rule from going into effect. The decision came after fourteen states, New York City and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration in January to block the new rule, accusing the administration of doing an illegal end run around Congress.
In response to the pandemic, the White House and Congress are moving to pass legislation that would likely include enhanced unemployment benefits, free virus testing and additional funds for food assistance programs.In response to the pandemic, the White House and Congress are moving to pass legislation that would likely include enhanced unemployment benefits, free virus testing and additional funds for food assistance programs.
Complicating the Agriculture Department’s role, the agency also administers free and reduced-price meals at schools, thousands of which are closing. Mr. Perdue said his department is “working to ensure children who are affected by school closures continue to get fed.” It has granted waivers to California, Washington and Alaska that allows the states to serve meals to low-income children during school closures outside of a group setting while schools are closed. The waivers will be in place until June.Complicating the Agriculture Department’s role, the agency also administers free and reduced-price meals at schools, thousands of which are closing. Mr. Perdue said his department is “working to ensure children who are affected by school closures continue to get fed.” It has granted waivers to California, Washington and Alaska that allows the states to serve meals to low-income children during school closures outside of a group setting while schools are closed. The waivers will be in place until June.
The House coronavirus package included a provision that would increase food-stamp benefits to parents who have children that cannot receive meals at school because of closures.The House coronavirus package included a provision that would increase food-stamp benefits to parents who have children that cannot receive meals at school because of closures.
“Although it may be necessary to close schools, it is also imperative that we keep in mind that school meals are often the only meals some students receive daily,” said Representative Marcia L. Fudge, Democrat of Ohio and chairwoman of the House Agriculture Committee’s subcommittee on nutrition.“Although it may be necessary to close schools, it is also imperative that we keep in mind that school meals are often the only meals some students receive daily,” said Representative Marcia L. Fudge, Democrat of Ohio and chairwoman of the House Agriculture Committee’s subcommittee on nutrition.
Ellen Vollinger, the food stamp director at the Food Research & Action Center, an advocacy organization, said the coronavirus outbreak presented a new challenge because it was a public health emergency and not a natural disaster.Ellen Vollinger, the food stamp director at the Food Research & Action Center, an advocacy organization, said the coronavirus outbreak presented a new challenge because it was a public health emergency and not a natural disaster.
Updated June 2, 2020 Updated May 28, 2020
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
There is an uptick in people reporting symptoms of chilblains, which are painful red or purple lesions that typically appear in the winter on fingers or toes. The lesions are emerging as yet another symptom of infection with the new coronavirus. Chilblains are caused by inflammation in small blood vessels in reaction to cold or damp conditions, but they are usually common in the coldest winter months. Federal health officials do not include toe lesions in the list of coronavirus symptoms, but some dermatologists are pushing for a change, saying so-called Covid toe should be sufficient grounds for testing.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
“We know that low-income families have a lot of pressures on their budget, they are often trying to figure out how to pay for food, medicine, their rent, utilities and there is not a lot of extra room,” she said.“We know that low-income families have a lot of pressures on their budget, they are often trying to figure out how to pay for food, medicine, their rent, utilities and there is not a lot of extra room,” she said.
Medicaid could help poor Americans weather the pandemic, particularly some of the 27 million people lacking health insurance. Yet the Trump administration has not offered states the option of covering some of all of them during the outbreak, a move previous administrations made did during emergencies. President Trump’s emergency declaration could change that by allowing states to quickly receive certain waivers from the rules; such waivers could also streamline the often-burdensome process of enrolling people in Medicaid.Medicaid could help poor Americans weather the pandemic, particularly some of the 27 million people lacking health insurance. Yet the Trump administration has not offered states the option of covering some of all of them during the outbreak, a move previous administrations made did during emergencies. President Trump’s emergency declaration could change that by allowing states to quickly receive certain waivers from the rules; such waivers could also streamline the often-burdensome process of enrolling people in Medicaid.
In addition, the House relief package includes a provision that would temporarily increase the federal government’s share of spending on Medicaid. Washington typically covers about 60 percent of the cost, while states cover about 40 percent.In addition, the House relief package includes a provision that would temporarily increase the federal government’s share of spending on Medicaid. Washington typically covers about 60 percent of the cost, while states cover about 40 percent.
The federal government already pays much more of the cost — 90 percent — for millions of adults who became eligible for Medicaid over the last six years in 36 states that chose to expand the program under the Affordable Care Act. That generous federal share could help blunt the economic blow of the pandemic in those states.The federal government already pays much more of the cost — 90 percent — for millions of adults who became eligible for Medicaid over the last six years in 36 states that chose to expand the program under the Affordable Care Act. That generous federal share could help blunt the economic blow of the pandemic in those states.
Seema Verma, who oversees Medicaid in the Trump administration, has actively encouraged states to impose new work requirements on many recipients in recent years, rather than making it easier to enroll. Ms. Verma’s agency, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, released a statement Friday that said it was responding to requests and questions from states and “working to identify the fastest pathway to meeting their needs.Seema Verma, who oversees Medicaid in the Trump administration, has actively encouraged states to impose new work requirements on many recipients in recent years, rather than making it easier to enroll. Ms. Verma’s agency, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, released a statement Friday that said it was responding to requests and questions from states and “working to identify the fastest pathway to meeting their needs.
In 2005, the Bush administration allowed states to apply for a temporary expansion of Medicaid to people displaced by Hurricane Katrina just two weeks after the storm hit.In 2005, the Bush administration allowed states to apply for a temporary expansion of Medicaid to people displaced by Hurricane Katrina just two weeks after the storm hit.
“They should be using presumptive eligibility to expedite enrollment, and allow for changes to enrollment, redetermination, and cost-sharing policies that promote patients’ immediate access to care,” said Eliot Fishman, a senior director at the consumer group Families USA, who was a top Medicaid official in the Obama administration.“They should be using presumptive eligibility to expedite enrollment, and allow for changes to enrollment, redetermination, and cost-sharing policies that promote patients’ immediate access to care,” said Eliot Fishman, a senior director at the consumer group Families USA, who was a top Medicaid official in the Obama administration.