Few United States government programs are as controversial as those designed to aid the poor. From tax credits to medical assistance, aid to needy families is surrounded by debate—on what benefits should be offered, what forms they should take, and how they should be administered. The past few decades, in fact, have seen this debate lead to broad transformations of aid programs themselves, with Aid to Families with Dependent Children replaced by Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, the Earned Income Tax Credit growing from a minor program to one of the most important for low-income families, and Medicaid greatly expanding its eligibility. This volume provides a remarkable overview of how such programs actually work, offering an impressive wealth of information on the nation's nine largest "means-tested" programs—that is, those in which some test of income forms the basis for participation. For each program, contributors describe origins and goals, summarize policy histories and current rules, and discuss the recipient's characteristics as well as the different types of benefits they receive. Each chapter then provides an overview of scholarly research on each program, bringing together the results of the field's most rigorous statistical examinations. The result is a fascinating portrayal of the evolution and current state of means-tested programs, one that charts a number of shifts in emphasis—the decline of cash assistance, for instance, and the increasing emphasis on work. This exemplary portrait of the nation's safety net will be an invaluable reference for anyone interested in American social policy.

The future of disability in America will depend on how well the U.S. prepares for and manages the demographic, fiscal, and technological developments that will unfold during the next two to three decades. Building upon two prior studies from the Institute of Medicine (the 1991 Institute of Medicine's report Disability in America and the 1997 report Enabling America), The Future of Disability in America examines both progress and concerns about continuing barriers that limit the independence, productivity, and participation in community life of people with disabilities. This book offers a comprehensive look at a wide range of issues, including the prevalence of disability across the lifespan; disability trends the role of assistive technology; barriers posed by health care and other facilities with inaccessible buildings, equipment, and information formats; the needs of young people moving from pediatric to adult health care and of adults experiencing premature aging and secondary health problems; selected issues in health care financing (e.g., risk adjusting payments to health plans, coverage of assistive technology); and the organizing and financing of disability-related research. The Future of Disability in America is an assessment of both principles and scientific evidence for disability policies and services. This book's recommendations propose steps to eliminate barriers and strengthen the evidence base for future public and private actions to reduce the impact of disability on individuals, families, and society.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant provides federal grants to states for a wide range of benefits, services, and activities. It is best known for helping states pay for cash welfare for needy families with children, but it funds a wide array of additional activities. TANF was created in the 1996 welfare reform law (P.L. 104-193). TANF funding and program authority were extended through FY2010 by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA, P.L. 109-171). TANF provides a basic block grant of $16.5 billion to the 50 states and District of Columbia, and $0.1 billion to U.S. territories. Additionally, 17 states qualify for supplemental grants that total $319 million. TANF also requires states to contribute from their own funds at least $10.4 billion for benefits and services to needy families with children -- this is known as the maintenance-of-effort (MOE) requirement. States may use TANF and MOE funds in any manner "reasonably calculated" to achieve TANF's statutory purpose. This purpose is to increase state flexibility to achieve four goals: (1) provide assistance to needy families with children so that they can live in their own homes or the homes of relatives; (2) end dependence of needy parents on government benefits through work, job preparation, and marriage; (3) reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and (4) promote the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. Though TANF is a block grant, there are some strings attached to states' use of funds, particularly for families receiving "assistance" (essentially cash welfare). States must meet TANF work participation standards or be penalised by a reduction in their block grant. The law sets standards stipulating that at least 50% of all families and 90% of two-parent families must be participating, but these statutory standards are reduced for declines in the cash welfare caseload. (Some families are excluded from the participation rate calculation.) Activities creditable toward meeting these standards are focused on work or are intended to rapidly attach welfare recipients to the workforce; education and training is limited. Federal TANF funds may not be used for a family with an adult that has received assistance for 60 months. This is the five-year time limit on welfare receipt. However, up to 20% of the caseload may be extended beyond the five years for reason of "hardship", with hardship defined by the states. Additionally, states may use funds that they must spend to meet the TANF MOE to aid families beyond five years. TANF work participation rules and time limits do not apply to families receiving benefits and services not considered "assistance". Child care, transportation aid, state earned income tax credits for working families, activities to reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies, activities to promote marriage and two-parent families, and activities to help families that have experienced or are "at risk" of child abuse and neglect are examples of such "nonassistance".

This resource provides a comprehensive overview of the basic structures and operations of the US health system, fom its historical origins and resources, to its individual services, cost, and quality. Using a unique "systems" approach, it brings together information into a highly accessible, easy-to-read text that clarifies the complexities of health care organization and finance, while presenting a solid overview of how the various components fit together.

This report provides a general overview of the Medicare program including descriptions of the program's history, eligibility criteria, covered services, provider payment systems, and program administration and financing.

The One Resource That Explains EVERY Provision of the Single Most Sweeping Piece of Legislation in 50 Years! CCH's Law, Explanation and Analysis of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Including Reconciliation Act Impact provides employers, legal, legislative, health, and insurance professionals with comprehensive explanation and analysis of every aspect of health care reform legislation. The information is crucial, current, and reliable and offers complete, clear and practical guidance on every provision. This is one of the most high-impact pieces of legislation passed in decades. Taken together, the laws are over 2,800 pages long. Many hundreds of changes are made to existing laws and– over 600 changes to the Social Security Act alone (which contains all of the Medicare and Medicaid law), including almost 50 newly added provisions. Other laws affected include the Employee Retirement Income and Security Act (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, the Internal Revenue Code, and even the Fair Labor Standards Act, among others. Law, Explanation and Analysis of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Including Reconciliation Act Impact include contains almost 500 expert explanations telling you what all those law changes mean. Only Law, Explanation and Analysis of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Including Reconciliation Act Impact includes: An editorially enhanced version of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that integrates in place changes made to it by the Reconciliation Act of 2010 and Title X amendments Text of the Joint Committee on Taxation report that provides background information on the revenue-related provisions of the laws Finding devices to help navigate between analysis and official text Caution notes The legislation contains the most significant health care changes in decades. Topics covered include the following: For employers: Enhanced employer responsibility Insurance market reforms Health insurance exchanges Individual responsibility mandate For health providers and beneficiaries: Expanded eligibility rules for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program Reimbursement changes for physicians and hospitals to focus on primary and preventive care Reimbursement changes for hospitals to increase coverage in rural areas Expansion of existing value-based purchasing and quality programs EXCLUSIVE ONLINE FEATURE! With your purchase of the book, you'll receive access to a special website that gives you access to SSA, ERISA, and IRC provisions amended by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Reconciliation Act of 2010, as well as other valuable Health Care Reform information and resources. Full text of both Acts will also be provided on this exclusive website.