Here's What Happened When Arkansas Implemented Work Requirements for Medicaid Recipients
Over 8,000 beneficiaries lost coverage in the last two months.
Dwyer Gunn
Dwyer Gunn is a Pacific Standard contributing writer. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, Slate, Psychology Today, and elsewhere. She was previously the editor of the Freakonomics blog.
More Research Finds That Immigrants Increase Economic Growth
A new report from The Hamilton Project refutes claims that immigrants are ruining native-born Americans' job prospects and driving up crime rates.
The Unemployment Rate Fell Further in September
The economy added 134,000 jobs in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
State Spending on Higher Education Still Hasn't Recovered From the Recession
And progress on that front may be slowing.
Recovery From the Great Recession Has Not Been Evenly Felt Across the Economic Spectrum
New research from the Federal Reserve concludes the economic recovery hasn't produced much wealth for most Americans.
Here's What's Changing With the U.S.'s New Trade Deal With Canada and Mexico
Republican politicians are hailing the new agreement as a trade milestone. Some labor groups would disagree.
D.C.'s Universal Preschool Program Has Been Hugely Beneficial for Moms—and the Economy
Once preschool was made free, maternal labor force participation increased.
How to Rewrite a Region's Story
In one of the poorest areas of the country, public schools are driving economic transformation.
The Case for Investing in Children Has Never Been Stronger
Too bad U.S. policy doesn't reflect that.
The Hazards Beneath Us
A new book explores how, for decades, businesses of all sizes have been burying hazardous waste all over cities.
A Bipartisan Approach to Paid Family Leave
A report authored by researchers from the Brookings Institution and the American Enterprise Institute reviews the options for a national family leave program.
Middle-Income Americans Are Increasingly Making Use of the Social Safety Net
A new report released by the Brookings Institution finds the safety net is not just for low-income folks anymore.
Census Bureau Economists Provide More Evidence Against the Citizenship Question
In a new working paper, five Census Bureau economists find that adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census would only reduce accuracy and increase costs.
How States Across the Country Are Dealing With Teacher Shortages
States are struggling to both recruit and retain teachers.
A New Government Report Finds the Trump Administration Could Do a Better Job Running Healthcare.gov
In 2018, 8.7 million people bought their non-group health insurance through healthcare.gov—down from 9.2 million people in 2017.
It's Back-to-School Season, and Schools Are Still Underfunded
Twelve states cut general funding for schools by 7 percent last school year.
A New Report Shows That Ohio's 2013 Medicaid Expansion Helped Nearly 300,000 People Get Work
Over 83 percent of employed Ohioans who were continuously enrolled in Medicaid said the program helped enable them to hold down jobs.
CEOs Got a Big Raise in 2017
While average Americans have yet to see a boost from tax cuts, CEOs are doing just fine.
Out-of-Network Claims Are Very Common—and Very Costly
A new Kaiser Family Foundation report illustrates the toll of out-of-network charges.
Here's More Evidence That Most Food Stamp Recipients Are Already Working
A new report confirms that, while SNAP recipients do indeed work, they may still be hurt by work requirements.
These Charts Illustrate Who's Most Affected by Obamacare Instability
It's middle-income people who aren't eligible for subsidies.
The Trump Administration Unveils the Final Version of Its Short-Term Insurance Rule
Short-term insurance plans, which are not subject to the Affordable Care Act's regulations, are often cheaper for healthy consumers.
Two Big Reasons Why Today's GDP Growth Number Might Not Be Sustainable
The Trump administration is touting the most recent GDP growth number, but not everyone is convinced it will last.
How Perverse Incentives Leave Struggling School Districts Behind
Few states have laws mandating district mergers, a fact that leaves financially distressed districts with no recovery option.
Premiums Would Go Down If Every State Passed Individual Mandates
Researchers find that implementing state-level individual mandates across the U.S. would drop the number of uninsured by nearly four million people by 2022.
Why Are Free College Programs So Successful?
And what can other federal programs learn from their success?
More People Than Ever Depend on the Federal Government for Help. So Why Is Public Trust at an All-Time Low?
In her new book, political scientist Suzanne Mettler asks: How can the U.S. government provide so much, yet still be the object of such derision?
Cities and States Spend a Ton to Woo Big Companies. Is It Money Well Spent?
A new report says local governments doled out $9.3 billion to tech companies in recent years. These handouts may not produce jobs, but they play well with voters.
What Will Be the Outcome of Trump's Trade War With China?
One analysis shows the White House's proposed tariffs will result in the loss of over 300,000 jobs.
How Kentucky's Cuts to Medicaid Recipients' Vision and Dental Care Affects More Than Just Their Health
Dental health has profound effects on quality of life, overall well-being, and economic security.
How the Supreme Court Handed a Huge Win to American Express
The court ruled on Monday that vendors can't nudge customers toward using other types of credit or debit cards, even though American Express typically charges higher fees.
The Supreme Court Rules That Public-Sector Unions Can't Require Agency Fees
Union advocates argue that the loss of agency fees will financially decimate public-sector unions.
A Tale of Two Cities
In a new book, urban revitalization expert Alan Mallach argues that much of what you think you know about cities today is wrong.
The Trump Administration Announces New Rules for Association Health Plans
Opponents of association plans argue they could further destabilize the ACA's non-group and small group markets.
Will Tax Reform Reduce Charitable Giving?
New research predicts the new tax law will reduce charitable giving by 4 percent.
The Rent Is Still Too Damn High
A new report finds that, all across the country, minimum-wage workers don't earn enough to rent a two-bedroom home.
Legal Experts From Both Sides of the Political Spectrum Come Out in Support of the ACA
The group of experts includes both fierce advocates of the ACA and fierce opponents.
The Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rates
The move was widely expected due to the strengthening economy and low unemployment.
Is Our Focus on Quarterly Earnings Hurting the U.S. Economy?
Two prominent business leaders point to the dangers of quarterly earnings guidance. Research suggests they're right to be concerned.
The ACA Is Under Fire Again
The Trump administration announced Thursday it would not defend the Affordable Care Act in court against a lawsuit filed last year by 20 states.
Is the Gig Economy Growing or Shrinking?
A new BLS survey shows that the percentage of Americans employed in most types of alternative work arrangements has actually declined since 2005. But that report only tells half the story.
Financial Aid Letters Are Really, Really Confusing
And that makes it hard for kids to choose the right school.
Three Key Numbers From the May Jobs Report
Retail, construction, and health care post particularly strong employment gains.
Trump's Trade War Would Be Very Bad for Many Americans
Here's what the U.S. stands to lose in a trade war.
How Unstable Medicaid Programs Discourage Recipients From Engaging With Politics
Political scientist Jamila Michener talks about how state-level changes to Medicaid benefits can politically disempower its recipients.
Democrats Target Teacher Pay as Part of Their 'Better Deal' Platform
The Democratic Party may have finally identified a message with staying power.
Employers Just Scored a Major Victory in the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court just ruled that employers can require employees to agree to arbitration and waive their rights to file class-action lawsuits.
A Federal College Loan Program Is Exacerbating the Racial Wealth Gap
A new report points to troubling flaws with the Parent PLUS loan program.
Health-Care Costs Are Growing in the U.S., Thanks in Large Part to Private Insurers
Three charts that show how health-care costs are rising, especially for people with private insurance.