CBPP's Dr. Joseph Llobrera Discusses the Administration's Proposed Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (March 10th)
www.thehealthcarepolicypodcast.com
Listen Now Despite the fact the US is a net food exporter, the country suffers a significant food security problem (defined as uncertain of having or unable to acquire enough food). Per the USDA, over 11% of Americans, or over 37 million(including 12 million children), are food insecure or worse. In addition, the US ranks first among OECD countries in obesity, a primary indicator of a poor or low nutritional diet. (Many Americans also suffer from "hidden hunger" or micro-nutrient deficiency.) What explains this includes the fact 42% of American workers are paid $15 an hour or less – causing the US to have one of the highest poverty rates among developed/wealthy countries. The US, unlike 158 other countries, is not a signatory to the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which recognizes “the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger.” In addition, health care ironically contributes to hunger in America. If health care cost what it does, for example in Switzerland or 30% less per capita, median income growth over the past 30 years would have grown to twice what it is. Phrased another way, medical expenses push millions of Americans below the poverty line, including 7 million who earn 150% of the poverty level. (Devoted listeners may vaguely recall I interviewed the CBPP's Dr. Paul Van de Water in January 2013 regarding Medicare and Social Security reform.)
CBPP's Dr. Joseph Llobrera Discusses the Administration's Proposed Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (March 10th)
CBPP's Dr. Joseph Llobrera Discusses the…
CBPP's Dr. Joseph Llobrera Discusses the Administration's Proposed Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (March 10th)
Listen Now Despite the fact the US is a net food exporter, the country suffers a significant food security problem (defined as uncertain of having or unable to acquire enough food). Per the USDA, over 11% of Americans, or over 37 million(including 12 million children), are food insecure or worse. In addition, the US ranks first among OECD countries in obesity, a primary indicator of a poor or low nutritional diet. (Many Americans also suffer from "hidden hunger" or micro-nutrient deficiency.) What explains this includes the fact 42% of American workers are paid $15 an hour or less – causing the US to have one of the highest poverty rates among developed/wealthy countries. The US, unlike 158 other countries, is not a signatory to the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which recognizes “the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger.” In addition, health care ironically contributes to hunger in America. If health care cost what it does, for example in Switzerland or 30% less per capita, median income growth over the past 30 years would have grown to twice what it is. Phrased another way, medical expenses push millions of Americans below the poverty line, including 7 million who earn 150% of the poverty level. (Devoted listeners may vaguely recall I interviewed the CBPP's Dr. Paul Van de Water in January 2013 regarding Medicare and Social Security reform.)