By The HOPE Team, 1/26/23, https://positiveexperience.org/category/blog/
Recent news has focused on the U.S. hitting its debt ceiling, which makes it harder for the federal government to meet financial obligations. The discussion often turns to whether Congress will make changes to Medicare and Social Security in response. Although the political landscape around this issue can be polarizing, one thing is certain, supporting children and families and promoting access to positive childhood experiences (PCEs) cuts across party lines. While we typically think of Medicare and Social Security as isolated issues affecting only people 65 years or older, these programs also affect children and families, especially grandparents and grandfamilies. The financial wellbeing of grandparents can contribute to the wellbeing of the whole family. Further, Medicare and Social Security affects the wellbeing of children and parents with disabilities.
In short, Medicare and Social Security impact kinship parenting, offset the high costs or limited options of childcare for working parents, and relieve overall financial stress for children and families; supporting equitable access to the Four Building Blocks of HOPE. Changing Medicare and Social Security could end up reducing access to PCEs and the important formative impact that PCEs have on lifelong health. Now that we are facing the reality of hitting the debt ceiling, there is a possibility that children and families who benefit from Medicare and Social Security could see delays in payment and even cuts to their benefits. Below are a few ways that changing Medicare and Social Security as a result of hitting the debt ceiling could impact access the Four Building Blocks of HOPE.
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