Sep 01 Watch 3:38 A ruling against Kentucky’s Medicaid work requirements could affect other states By PBS News Hour A federal judge recently ruled against Kentucky’s work requirement for Medicaid recipients after it became the first state to impose the policy. The judge called the mandate “arbitrary and capricious” in a decision that could have an impact on other… Continue watching
Jul 19 Watch 9:19 Hunger a persistent problem for poor Americans as Republicans mull SNAP cuts By Frank Carlson, Mike Fritz, Cat Wise Spending on social welfare programs like SNAP, also known as food stamps, would be dramatically cut under the White House budget unveiled in May. In Arkansas, a state that mirrors the national picture, 14 percent of the population was on… Continue watching
Feb 16 USDA rules would increase food stamp access to healthy foods By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press The Agriculture Department unveiled new rules on Tuesday that would force retailers who accept food stamps to stock a wider variety of healthy foods or face the loss of business as consumers shop elsewhere. Continue reading
Apr 23 Twitter chat: Should the government tell welfare recipients how to spend their money? By Nora Daly A new Kansas restricts the ways in which recipients of government assistance can spend their benefits. While many states have placed restrictions on how benefit cards can be used, prohibiting purchases such as alcohol, tobacco products and adult entertainment, the… Continue reading
Apr 16 New Kansas law would limit how welfare recipients can spend their benefits By John Hanna, Associated Press TOPEKA, Kan. -- A new Kansas law tells poor families that they can't use cash assistance from the state to attend concerts, get tattoos, see a psychic or buy lingerie. The list of don'ts runs to several dozen items. Continue reading
Mar 20 States to test ways to get food stamp recipients back to work By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Ten states will test new ways to get food stamp recipients back to work, using Agriculture Department grants aimed at helping some of the 46 million Americans who receive benefits move off the rolls. Continue reading
Dec 10 A food stamps success story By Miles Corak A yawning gap has opened up between market income poverty rates and total income poverty rates, which can only be heralded as a major success story for out-of-work assistance, particularly those components under federal control, argues economist Miles Corak. Continue reading
Jun 02 Should food stamps be used for sugary drinks? Researchers find new evidence to support a ban By Diane Jeanty A new study released by Health Affairs on Monday shows that a proposed ban on sugar sweetened beverages purchased with SNAP benefits would significantly reduce obesity in adults ages 18-65. A subsidy for fruits and vegetables would more than double… Continue reading
Nov 25 Watch Food stamp program changes lead to ‘staggering’ increase in need Food stamp program cuts lead to 'staggering' increase in need… Continue watching
Nov 04 Watch One NYC family’s struggle to survive on a fast food salary Between food, housing and baby supplies, Shenita Simon struggles each week to support her family of seven. The 25-year-old from New York makes $8 per hour and is one of the fast food workers nationwide advocating for higher wages. Hari… Continue watching