WASHINGTON - Today’s Census report showing a 17-year high in the nation’s poverty rate highlights the urgent need for action on jobs. The number of children living in poverty also increased by nearly 1 million to a total of 16.4 million, or 22% of all children. President Obama has laid out a broad plan to accelerate our recovery that should quickly be taken up. On a positive note, the Census report showed an increase in the percentage of insured young adults, with a half a million more insured people between the ages of 18 and 24 in 2010. Among the health reform provisions already in effect, the law allows people under the age of 26 to stay on or obtain coverage through their parents’ health insurance. Ways and Means Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) and Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Pete Stark (D-CA) made the following comments about today’s Census report:
LEVIN: “Too many of our nation’s families are in crisis as the deep and lasting economic recession costs jobs, health insurance and pushes more families into poverty. This report should serve as another wake up call to Republicans in Congress that there is an urgent need for action on jobs. Every day that passes without House Republicans acting to boost our economic recovery is a missed opportunity to get Americans back to work and provides yet more evidence that House Republicans refuse to confront the most important issue facing our country."
STARK: "We've now got the highest poverty rate in 17 years. If that's not a clear indication that Congress needs to create jobs to jump-start the economy, I don't know what is. Yet there is a silver lining in today's report thanks to health reform: growing numbers of young adults are obtaining health insurance and more parents have greater peace of mind. In this punishing economy, parents and their adult children are at significantly less financial risk in the case of an illness or accident. Full implementation of health reform will continue to lessen Americans' risk of financial ruin because of a lack of coverage."
