Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
@centeronbudget.bsky.social
A nonpartisan research and policy institute that advances federal and state policies to help build a nation where everyone has the resources they need to thrive and share in the nation’s prosperity.
The Trump Administration is encouraging states to use Social Security data to reverify voter citizenship, even though the data are incomplete — a move that could wrongly disenfranchise eligible U.S. citizens ahead of the midterm elections. www.cbpp.org/blog/trump-a...
Trump Administration’s Legally Dubious Misuse of Social Security Data Risks Disenfranchising Eligible Voters
Friday, December 12 is the deadline for public comments on a policy the Trump Administration secretly adopted in May, giving the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) access to personal data from the....
www.cbpp.org
December 9, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The Trump Administration is encouraging states to use Social Security data to reverify voter citizenship, even though the data are incomplete — a move that could wrongly disenfranchise eligible U.S. citizens ahead of the midterm elections. www.cbpp.org/blog/trump-a...
Tracy, 57, from GA, received this notice showing her #ACA marketplace premium rising from $82 to $1,616/month if premium tax credit enhancements expire — nearly a $19k increase next year. For her, that means choosing between coverage and essentials.
December 9, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Tracy, 57, from GA, received this notice showing her #ACA marketplace premium rising from $82 to $1,616/month if premium tax credit enhancements expire — nearly a $19k increase next year. For her, that means choosing between coverage and essentials.
Many lawfully present immigrants, including those with U.S. citizen children, could lose critical support as the Treasury Department upends years of precedent in moving to deny their access to key refundable tax credits. www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
Treasury Moves to Wrongfully Deny Tax Credits to Lawfully Present Immigrants
November 20, 2025: The Treasury Department will seek to further restrict eligibility for the refundable portion of many tax credits for people with lawful immigration statuses. Target credits include ...
www.cbpp.org
December 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Many lawfully present immigrants, including those with U.S. citizen children, could lose critical support as the Treasury Department upends years of precedent in moving to deny their access to key refundable tax credits. www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
Reposted by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Sens Cassidy and Crapo are circulating a health proposal that would do little to address the premium spikes millions of ACA marketplace enrollees will face starting Jan 1, and would further increase many people’s out of pocket costs for health care over time. www.axios.com/2025/12/08/s...
Scoop: Senate GOP chairs circulate health plan as ACA subsidies hang in the balance
Two key Republican chairmen circulated the plan as the GOP struggles to unite around health policies.
www.axios.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Sens Cassidy and Crapo are circulating a health proposal that would do little to address the premium spikes millions of ACA marketplace enrollees will face starting Jan 1, and would further increase many people’s out of pocket costs for health care over time. www.axios.com/2025/12/08/s...
Reposted by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Sweeping federal policy changes are threatening people's access to affordable health coverage and care — but state insurance regulators and other state leaders can help stem the damage. A new report from NAIC consumer representatives explains how:
NAIC Consumer Representative Report: Recommendations for States’ Efforts to Mitigate Harms Caused by Federal Policy Actions - Consumer Health Reps at NAIC
consumeradvocacyforhealth.org
December 8, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Sweeping federal policy changes are threatening people's access to affordable health coverage and care — but state insurance regulators and other state leaders can help stem the damage. A new report from NAIC consumer representatives explains how:
Reposted by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
HHS just released data covering the first month of ACA marketplace enrollment for 2026. My colleague @jenniferlsullivan.bsky.social puts the numbers in context:
New HHS data on ACA marketplace enrollment for 2026 so far suggest a similar number of ppl have selected a plan compared to last year even as they see higher premium costs that reflect expiration of PTC enhancements. But don't make too much if it.
Marketplace 2026 Open Enrollment Period Report: National Snapshot | CMS
Marketplace 2026 Open Enrollment Period Report: National Snapshot
www.cms.gov
December 5, 2025 at 10:26 PM
HHS just released data covering the first month of ACA marketplace enrollment for 2026. My colleague @jenniferlsullivan.bsky.social puts the numbers in context:
Reposted by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
New HHS data on ACA marketplace enrollment for 2026 so far suggest a similar number of ppl have selected a plan compared to last year even as they see higher premium costs that reflect expiration of PTC enhancements. But don't make too much if it.
Marketplace 2026 Open Enrollment Period Report: National Snapshot | CMS
Marketplace 2026 Open Enrollment Period Report: National Snapshot
www.cms.gov
December 5, 2025 at 10:17 PM
New HHS data on ACA marketplace enrollment for 2026 so far suggest a similar number of ppl have selected a plan compared to last year even as they see higher premium costs that reflect expiration of PTC enhancements. But don't make too much if it.
Recently at CBPP, we focused on #health, #immigration, the #FederalBudget, #SocialSecurity, and #FoodAssistance. www.cbpp.org/blog/in-case...
December 5, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Recently at CBPP, we focused on #health, #immigration, the #FederalBudget, #SocialSecurity, and #FoodAssistance. www.cbpp.org/blog/in-case...
Reposted by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
As new proposals addressing expiring PTC enhancements emerge, it's important to be clear about what makes a strong (or not so strong) proposal.
My colleague @jenniferlsullivan.bsky.social lays out key guidelines for evaluating these proposals.
My colleague @jenniferlsullivan.bsky.social lays out key guidelines for evaluating these proposals.
Proposals to address expiring PTC enhancements should be evaluated based on the extent to which they:
1. avoid making more people uninsured;
2. ensure people keep access to affordable, comprehensive coverage; and
3. can take effect quickly.
More here: www.cbpp.org/blog/how-to-...
1. avoid making more people uninsured;
2. ensure people keep access to affordable, comprehensive coverage; and
3. can take effect quickly.
More here: www.cbpp.org/blog/how-to-...
How to Evaluate Proposals to Address Expiring Premium Tax Credit Enhancements
With just weeks to go until the premium tax credit (PTC) enhancements expire — which would increase Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace enrollees’ annual premiums by more than $1,000 on average...
www.cbpp.org
December 4, 2025 at 7:33 PM
As new proposals addressing expiring PTC enhancements emerge, it's important to be clear about what makes a strong (or not so strong) proposal.
My colleague @jenniferlsullivan.bsky.social lays out key guidelines for evaluating these proposals.
My colleague @jenniferlsullivan.bsky.social lays out key guidelines for evaluating these proposals.
Reposted by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
States' administrative funding isn't the only thing at stake here. USDA is trying to amass the highly sensitive personal information of tens of millions of low-income people in a centralized database described by one former USDA official as "a prime target for malicious actors."
The Trump administration plans to block Democratic-controlled states from accessing billions of dollars they need to run their food stamp programs unless governors turn over benefits rolls to federal officials.
Trump administration will block SNAP management funds for blue states
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said officials won’t send money to administer food stamps to states that don’t share information about benefits recipients with the federal government.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:35 PM
States' administrative funding isn't the only thing at stake here. USDA is trying to amass the highly sensitive personal information of tens of millions of low-income people in a centralized database described by one former USDA official as "a prime target for malicious actors."
Reposted by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Proposals to address expiring PTC enhancements should be evaluated based on the extent to which they:
1. avoid making more people uninsured;
2. ensure people keep access to affordable, comprehensive coverage; and
3. can take effect quickly.
More here: www.cbpp.org/blog/how-to-...
1. avoid making more people uninsured;
2. ensure people keep access to affordable, comprehensive coverage; and
3. can take effect quickly.
More here: www.cbpp.org/blog/how-to-...
How to Evaluate Proposals to Address Expiring Premium Tax Credit Enhancements
With just weeks to go until the premium tax credit (PTC) enhancements expire — which would increase Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace enrollees’ annual premiums by more than $1,000 on average...
www.cbpp.org
December 4, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Proposals to address expiring PTC enhancements should be evaluated based on the extent to which they:
1. avoid making more people uninsured;
2. ensure people keep access to affordable, comprehensive coverage; and
3. can take effect quickly.
More here: www.cbpp.org/blog/how-to-...
1. avoid making more people uninsured;
2. ensure people keep access to affordable, comprehensive coverage; and
3. can take effect quickly.
More here: www.cbpp.org/blog/how-to-...
Reposted by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Instead of a clean extension of PTC enhancements (which makes silver plans more affordable), some Republicans have proposed encouraging people to buy down to less generous bronze plans.
Don’t be fooled: While bronze plans often have lower premiums, people face much higher costs when they get care.
Don’t be fooled: While bronze plans often have lower premiums, people face much higher costs when they get care.
December 2, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Instead of a clean extension of PTC enhancements (which makes silver plans more affordable), some Republicans have proposed encouraging people to buy down to less generous bronze plans.
Don’t be fooled: While bronze plans often have lower premiums, people face much higher costs when they get care.
Don’t be fooled: While bronze plans often have lower premiums, people face much higher costs when they get care.
More than 4 in 10 Supplemental Security Income youth lose their benefits when they turn 18. Policymakers should provide more work supports and incentives, and improve access to economic security programs beyond SSI: www.cbpp.org/research/soc...
Low-Income Disabled Youth Face Significant Challenges Upon Coming of Age
More than 4 in 10 SSI youth lose their benefits when they turn 18 because they have not demonstrated that they meet SSI’s stringent adult definition of disability, even if they continue to have health...
www.cbpp.org
December 2, 2025 at 8:11 PM
More than 4 in 10 Supplemental Security Income youth lose their benefits when they turn 18. Policymakers should provide more work supports and incentives, and improve access to economic security programs beyond SSI: www.cbpp.org/research/soc...
Reposted by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
ACA marketplace plans w/ $0 premiums help ppl get & stay covered. Recent Republican proposals would require minimum premiums or fail to extend premium tax credit enhancements based on the false claim that ppl who don’t use medical care are “phantom enrollees.” 🧵https://tinyurl.com/4uc68zbf
People With Low Incomes May Lose $0 Premium Plans — a Lifeline — Unless Congress Acts
Without congressional action, PTC enhancements will expire at the end of 2025. This will cause millions —many of these lowest-income enrollees especially — to become uninsured, or to face impossible c...
tinyurl.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:26 PM
ACA marketplace plans w/ $0 premiums help ppl get & stay covered. Recent Republican proposals would require minimum premiums or fail to extend premium tax credit enhancements based on the false claim that ppl who don’t use medical care are “phantom enrollees.” 🧵https://tinyurl.com/4uc68zbf
Reposted by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
This week, the House may consider a bill to rename Social Security's retirement claim ages, which could help retirees make more informed choices.
Social Security's benefit formula is confusing, and any move toward transparency is a step in the right direction.
smucker.house.gov/media/press-...
Social Security's benefit formula is confusing, and any move toward transparency is a step in the right direction.
smucker.house.gov/media/press-...
Smucker’s Legislation Advances with Strong Bipartisan Support in Ways and Means Committee
WASHINGTON—Legislation introduced by Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) has received approval in the House Ways and Means Committee and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
smucker.house.gov
December 1, 2025 at 8:45 PM
This week, the House may consider a bill to rename Social Security's retirement claim ages, which could help retirees make more informed choices.
Social Security's benefit formula is confusing, and any move toward transparency is a step in the right direction.
smucker.house.gov/media/press-...
Social Security's benefit formula is confusing, and any move toward transparency is a step in the right direction.
smucker.house.gov/media/press-...
Reposted by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Social Security has announced yet another reorganization. The devil will be in the details.
But the fact remains: Even after the reshuffling is complete, SSA will have thousands fewer and less experienced staff because of the deep cuts the Trump Admin made this year.
www.cbpp.org/research/soc...
But the fact remains: Even after the reshuffling is complete, SSA will have thousands fewer and less experienced staff because of the deep cuts the Trump Admin made this year.
www.cbpp.org/research/soc...
Reassignment Won’t Fix the Largest-Ever Social Security Staffing Cut
The Social Security Administration will have fewer and less experienced staff on the front lines serving the public with significantly less support, leading to worse outcomes for people who rely on So...
www.cbpp.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Social Security has announced yet another reorganization. The devil will be in the details.
But the fact remains: Even after the reshuffling is complete, SSA will have thousands fewer and less experienced staff because of the deep cuts the Trump Admin made this year.
www.cbpp.org/research/soc...
But the fact remains: Even after the reshuffling is complete, SSA will have thousands fewer and less experienced staff because of the deep cuts the Trump Admin made this year.
www.cbpp.org/research/soc...
Reposted by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Now that the gov is reopened, appropriators should not only provide Social Security with adequate customer service funding, but also include enforceable measures to reverse deep staff cuts, lift service restrictions, improve transparency & secure our sensitive data.
www.cbpp.org/research/soc...
www.cbpp.org/research/soc...
Congress Needs to Address the Trump Administration Turmoil at the Social Security Administration
Years of underfunding have forced the Social Security Administration (SSA) to serve the growing number of beneficiaries with fewer staff, creating customer service woes that the Trump Administration h...
www.cbpp.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Now that the gov is reopened, appropriators should not only provide Social Security with adequate customer service funding, but also include enforceable measures to reverse deep staff cuts, lift service restrictions, improve transparency & secure our sensitive data.
www.cbpp.org/research/soc...
www.cbpp.org/research/soc...
Reposted by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Reports that the White House is working on a proposal to extend premium tax credit enhancements shows the Administration is acknowledging the urgent need to address premium spikes for millions of marketplace enrollees. But big questions remain.🧵
November 24, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Reports that the White House is working on a proposal to extend premium tax credit enhancements shows the Administration is acknowledging the urgent need to address premium spikes for millions of marketplace enrollees. But big questions remain.🧵
Reposted by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Some recent Republican responses to the marketplace premium tax credit issue would shift more people to bronze plans with Health Savings Accounts as an alternative to silver plans with PTC enhancements and cost sharing reductions. So how do these plans stack up in real terms?
November 24, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Some recent Republican responses to the marketplace premium tax credit issue would shift more people to bronze plans with Health Savings Accounts as an alternative to silver plans with PTC enhancements and cost sharing reductions. So how do these plans stack up in real terms?
Reposted by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
The GAO released a report last week on health savings accounts (HSAs) reaffirming that HSAs do little to help people with low and moderate incomes – who would be hurt the most if Congress lets premium tax credit enhancements expire.
GAO-25-107480, HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS: Information on Features and Use,
and Characteristics of Account Holders
files.gao.gov
November 24, 2025 at 8:42 PM
The GAO released a report last week on health savings accounts (HSAs) reaffirming that HSAs do little to help people with low and moderate incomes – who would be hurt the most if Congress lets premium tax credit enhancements expire.
The Trump Admin’s move to rescind the Biden-era public charge rule will cause fear and confusion among immigrants and their families, leading many to forgo needed health care, food, or other support out of concern it could affect their immigration status. www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
Trump Administration’s Move to Rescind Public Charge Rule Will Cause Fear, Confusion for Immigrants
November 19, 2025: The Trump Administration has moved to rescind the Biden Administration’s public charge rule, reigniting fear and confusion among people who are immigrants and their families. The pr...
www.cbpp.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The Trump Admin’s move to rescind the Biden-era public charge rule will cause fear and confusion among immigrants and their families, leading many to forgo needed health care, food, or other support out of concern it could affect their immigration status. www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
This week at CBPP, we focused on #health, #FoodAssistance, #StateBudgets and #StateTaxes, and #ClimateChange. www.cbpp.org/blog/in-case...
November 21, 2025 at 10:28 PM
This week at CBPP, we focused on #health, #FoodAssistance, #StateBudgets and #StateTaxes, and #ClimateChange. www.cbpp.org/blog/in-case...
Tribal citizens who rely on #Medicaid for care at Indian Health Service and tribal facilities will be harmed if states respond to new funding pressures from the Republican megabill by cutting payments or services — cuts that wouldn’t save states any money. www.cbpp.org/blog/states-...
States Should Protect Medicaid Funding in Indian Country
Everyone should be able to see a doctor when they are sick, afford their prescriptions, and get the preventative care their family needs. For tribal citizens — people who are members of federally...
www.cbpp.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Tribal citizens who rely on #Medicaid for care at Indian Health Service and tribal facilities will be harmed if states respond to new funding pressures from the Republican megabill by cutting payments or services — cuts that wouldn’t save states any money. www.cbpp.org/blog/states-...
CBPP Chief Economist @gbenga-ajilore.bsky.social provides analysis on the September jobs report, and details what's at stake when economic data is delayed.
youtube.com/shorts/XeTRz...
youtube.com/shorts/XeTRz...
The September Jobs Report Is Out. But What Happens When Data Is Delayed?
YouTube video by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:24 PM
CBPP Chief Economist @gbenga-ajilore.bsky.social provides analysis on the September jobs report, and details what's at stake when economic data is delayed.
youtube.com/shorts/XeTRz...
youtube.com/shorts/XeTRz...
Reposted by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Here they go again: Republicans in Congress are reviving the ACA repeal debate. After enacting unprecedented cuts to Medicaid, they are looking for ways to eliminate federal premium tax credits that some help about 20M people afford marketplace plans.
November 20, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Here they go again: Republicans in Congress are reviving the ACA repeal debate. After enacting unprecedented cuts to Medicaid, they are looking for ways to eliminate federal premium tax credits that some help about 20M people afford marketplace plans.