Melissa Boteach
@mboteach.bsky.social
VP of Income Security and Child Care at @nwlc.bsky.social formerly @americanprogress.bsky.social . Posting on economic justice, care, budget & tax, gender justice. Bad puns are a feature not a bug.
CBO analysis of Big Beautiful Bill”
➡️poorest 10% of HH lose $1,600 a year; richest 10% gain $12,000 a year
➡️ 16 million ppl lose their health insurance
➡️8 million ppl at-risk of losing food assistance
Yale’s Budget Lab found that House bill, combined w/tariffs, would ⬇️ incomes for 4 in 5 US HH.
➡️poorest 10% of HH lose $1,600 a year; richest 10% gain $12,000 a year
➡️ 16 million ppl lose their health insurance
➡️8 million ppl at-risk of losing food assistance
Yale’s Budget Lab found that House bill, combined w/tariffs, would ⬇️ incomes for 4 in 5 US HH.
June 23, 2025 at 2:52 PM
CBO analysis of Big Beautiful Bill”
➡️poorest 10% of HH lose $1,600 a year; richest 10% gain $12,000 a year
➡️ 16 million ppl lose their health insurance
➡️8 million ppl at-risk of losing food assistance
Yale’s Budget Lab found that House bill, combined w/tariffs, would ⬇️ incomes for 4 in 5 US HH.
➡️poorest 10% of HH lose $1,600 a year; richest 10% gain $12,000 a year
➡️ 16 million ppl lose their health insurance
➡️8 million ppl at-risk of losing food assistance
Yale’s Budget Lab found that House bill, combined w/tariffs, would ⬇️ incomes for 4 in 5 US HH.
Senators Lankford and Mullin: as #strollingthunder @zerotothree.bsky.social mom Dena Drabek explains:
“There’s nothing beautiful about a policy that takes health care away from sick kids.”
www.oklahoman.com/story/opinio...
“There’s nothing beautiful about a policy that takes health care away from sick kids.”
www.oklahoman.com/story/opinio...
There’s nothing beautiful about a policy that takes health care away from sick kids | Opinion
If Medicaid cuts go through, and doctors’ offices are forced to close or states pull back on funding services, what happens to families like mine?
www.oklahoman.com
June 20, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Senators Lankford and Mullin: as #strollingthunder @zerotothree.bsky.social mom Dena Drabek explains:
“There’s nothing beautiful about a policy that takes health care away from sick kids.”
www.oklahoman.com/story/opinio...
“There’s nothing beautiful about a policy that takes health care away from sick kids.”
www.oklahoman.com/story/opinio...
The Senate reconciliation bill is hundreds of pages of text that is not meaningfully different from the disastrous House bill that rips healthcare and food away from families.
It’s basically rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. And just like with the boat, the rich escape the harm.
It’s basically rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. And just like with the boat, the rich escape the harm.
June 17, 2025 at 2:51 PM
The Senate reconciliation bill is hundreds of pages of text that is not meaningfully different from the disastrous House bill that rips healthcare and food away from families.
It’s basically rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. And just like with the boat, the rich escape the harm.
It’s basically rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. And just like with the boat, the rich escape the harm.
Today, we brought voices of babies to the Capitol:
Our #MessageinaBabyBottle included :
📝 A story from a parent who can’t afford formula without SNAP
📝 A plea from a nurse detailing NICU stays covered by Medicaid
Add your voice. Deliver your own message to Congress: thinkbabies.org/budgetcuts
Our #MessageinaBabyBottle included :
📝 A story from a parent who can’t afford formula without SNAP
📝 A plea from a nurse detailing NICU stays covered by Medicaid
Add your voice. Deliver your own message to Congress: thinkbabies.org/budgetcuts
June 4, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Today, we brought voices of babies to the Capitol:
Our #MessageinaBabyBottle included :
📝 A story from a parent who can’t afford formula without SNAP
📝 A plea from a nurse detailing NICU stays covered by Medicaid
Add your voice. Deliver your own message to Congress: thinkbabies.org/budgetcuts
Our #MessageinaBabyBottle included :
📝 A story from a parent who can’t afford formula without SNAP
📝 A plea from a nurse detailing NICU stays covered by Medicaid
Add your voice. Deliver your own message to Congress: thinkbabies.org/budgetcuts
The Trump admin’s FY 26 budget proposal cuts WIC, taking healthy food from low-income moms, babies, and young children who face nutritional risk.
This is NOT “Making America Healthy Again”
www.nwica.org/press-releas...
This is NOT “Making America Healthy Again”
www.nwica.org/press-releas...
National WIC Association Condemns Trump’s Proposed Cuts to WIC’s Fruit and Vegetable Benefits
“Reducing the CVB significantly hinders access to fruits and vegetables for low-income mothers and young children at nutritional risk, the very populations this program was designed to protect. At a t...
www.nwica.org
June 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
The Trump admin’s FY 26 budget proposal cuts WIC, taking healthy food from low-income moms, babies, and young children who face nutritional risk.
This is NOT “Making America Healthy Again”
www.nwica.org/press-releas...
This is NOT “Making America Healthy Again”
www.nwica.org/press-releas...
EVERYONE deserves access to healthcare.
& regardless, even ppl Trump admin deems “deserving” will lose care bc Medicaid cuts will:
➡️devastate rural hospitals & access to emergency care
➡️gut state budgets, forcing cuts to basic services
➡️create red tape, causing eligible families to lose care
& regardless, even ppl Trump admin deems “deserving” will lose care bc Medicaid cuts will:
➡️devastate rural hospitals & access to emergency care
➡️gut state budgets, forcing cuts to basic services
➡️create red tape, causing eligible families to lose care
June 3, 2025 at 1:54 PM
EVERYONE deserves access to healthcare.
& regardless, even ppl Trump admin deems “deserving” will lose care bc Medicaid cuts will:
➡️devastate rural hospitals & access to emergency care
➡️gut state budgets, forcing cuts to basic services
➡️create red tape, causing eligible families to lose care
& regardless, even ppl Trump admin deems “deserving” will lose care bc Medicaid cuts will:
➡️devastate rural hospitals & access to emergency care
➡️gut state budgets, forcing cuts to basic services
➡️create red tape, causing eligible families to lose care
#TrumpBudget
➡️Eliminates infant & early childhood mental health grants
➡️Cuts fresh fruits & veggies for pregnant women, infants, & children in WIC
A budget that cuts food & healthcare for babies is NOT a moral budget.
Congress must reject these cuts.
www.zerotothree.org/news/babies-...
➡️Eliminates infant & early childhood mental health grants
➡️Cuts fresh fruits & veggies for pregnant women, infants, & children in WIC
A budget that cuts food & healthcare for babies is NOT a moral budget.
Congress must reject these cuts.
www.zerotothree.org/news/babies-...
Babies Left Behind: New Trump Budget Escalates Threats to Vital Lifelines That Families Need
Together, these proposals would dismantle the support systems families rely on and deal a devastating blow to infant and toddler development
www.zerotothree.org
May 31, 2025 at 1:41 PM
#TrumpBudget
➡️Eliminates infant & early childhood mental health grants
➡️Cuts fresh fruits & veggies for pregnant women, infants, & children in WIC
A budget that cuts food & healthcare for babies is NOT a moral budget.
Congress must reject these cuts.
www.zerotothree.org/news/babies-...
➡️Eliminates infant & early childhood mental health grants
➡️Cuts fresh fruits & veggies for pregnant women, infants, & children in WIC
A budget that cuts food & healthcare for babies is NOT a moral budget.
Congress must reject these cuts.
www.zerotothree.org/news/babies-...
My statement on #trumpbudget proposal for fy26, released last night: “This budget sends a clear and devastating message that the well-being of babies and families is not a priority. This is not fiscal responsibility; it’s generational harm.”
www.zerotothree.org/news/babies-...
www.zerotothree.org/news/babies-...
Babies Left Behind: New Trump Budget Escalates Threats to Vital Lifelines That Families Need
Together, these proposals would dismantle the support systems families rely on and deal a devastating blow to infant and toddler development
www.zerotothree.org
May 31, 2025 at 1:30 PM
My statement on #trumpbudget proposal for fy26, released last night: “This budget sends a clear and devastating message that the well-being of babies and families is not a priority. This is not fiscal responsibility; it’s generational harm.”
www.zerotothree.org/news/babies-...
www.zerotothree.org/news/babies-...
In my first op-ed for @zerotothree.bsky.social
I underscore that Medicaid, SNAP, and other supports for families “are lifelines that give kids a solid start, esp families who face extra hurdles.”
The Senate must reject these dangerous cuts.
www.the74million.org/zero2eight/w...
I underscore that Medicaid, SNAP, and other supports for families “are lifelines that give kids a solid start, esp families who face extra hurdles.”
The Senate must reject these dangerous cuts.
www.the74million.org/zero2eight/w...
What Babies Need from Congress Right Now
Boteach: Babies can’t speak for themselves, so families and early childhood advocates are demanding that Congress to invest in our youngest kids.
www.the74million.org
May 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
In my first op-ed for @zerotothree.bsky.social
I underscore that Medicaid, SNAP, and other supports for families “are lifelines that give kids a solid start, esp families who face extra hurdles.”
The Senate must reject these dangerous cuts.
www.the74million.org/zero2eight/w...
I underscore that Medicaid, SNAP, and other supports for families “are lifelines that give kids a solid start, esp families who face extra hurdles.”
The Senate must reject these dangerous cuts.
www.the74million.org/zero2eight/w...
Last night, the House passed a bill that would:
➡️Rip healthcare and food away from millions of people through the largest ever cuts to Medicaid and SNAP,
➡️Add mountains of red tape under the guise of “work requirements” that will interrupt essential services for families
➡️Rip healthcare and food away from millions of people through the largest ever cuts to Medicaid and SNAP,
➡️Add mountains of red tape under the guise of “work requirements” that will interrupt essential services for families
May 22, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Last night, the House passed a bill that would:
➡️Rip healthcare and food away from millions of people through the largest ever cuts to Medicaid and SNAP,
➡️Add mountains of red tape under the guise of “work requirements” that will interrupt essential services for families
➡️Rip healthcare and food away from millions of people through the largest ever cuts to Medicaid and SNAP,
➡️Add mountains of red tape under the guise of “work requirements” that will interrupt essential services for families
Reposted by Melissa Boteach
“The real crisis is one of care… The answer to the real crisis is not what we can gut and burn and take away from people, but what we can give them, the world we can create.” My piece in @usatoday.com. www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
We're worrying about the wrong thing. Low birth rate isn't the crisis: Child care is. | Opinion
Making more babies by threat, faux incentives, or even force is not a goal or a solution. And it ignores the desperate, real needs of families.
www.usatoday.com
May 15, 2025 at 12:47 PM
“The real crisis is one of care… The answer to the real crisis is not what we can gut and burn and take away from people, but what we can give them, the world we can create.” My piece in @usatoday.com. www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
Reposted by Melissa Boteach
Shout out to @waysmeanscmte.bsky.social for supporting #childcare at 4 am last night!
@replindasanchez.bsky.social @repdelbene.bsky.social @repgwenmoore.bsky.social @gomez.house.gov #RepDannyDavis #RepJudyChu spoke beautifully about addressing families' child care needs. TY for your leadership!
@replindasanchez.bsky.social @repdelbene.bsky.social @repgwenmoore.bsky.social @gomez.house.gov #RepDannyDavis #RepJudyChu spoke beautifully about addressing families' child care needs. TY for your leadership!
May 14, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Shout out to @waysmeanscmte.bsky.social for supporting #childcare at 4 am last night!
@replindasanchez.bsky.social @repdelbene.bsky.social @repgwenmoore.bsky.social @gomez.house.gov #RepDannyDavis #RepJudyChu spoke beautifully about addressing families' child care needs. TY for your leadership!
@replindasanchez.bsky.social @repdelbene.bsky.social @repgwenmoore.bsky.social @gomez.house.gov #RepDannyDavis #RepJudyChu spoke beautifully about addressing families' child care needs. TY for your leadership!
Reposted by Melissa Boteach
Medicaid also pays for:
Care for foster children.
IEP services in school.
Hospice care for the terminally ill.
Nursing homes.
Premature babies and their NICU stays (I thought we wanted more babies?!).
Care for foster children.
IEP services in school.
Hospice care for the terminally ill.
Nursing homes.
Premature babies and their NICU stays (I thought we wanted more babies?!).
Medicaid cuts = skipped doctor visits, missed developmental screenings and fewer mental health services for parents and children. Medicaid cuts drown people in red tape to keep coverage and strip healthcare from those who qualify.
Tell Congress: #NoMedicaidCuts
Tell Congress: #NoMedicaidCuts
May 14, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Medicaid also pays for:
Care for foster children.
IEP services in school.
Hospice care for the terminally ill.
Nursing homes.
Premature babies and their NICU stays (I thought we wanted more babies?!).
Care for foster children.
IEP services in school.
Hospice care for the terminally ill.
Nursing homes.
Premature babies and their NICU stays (I thought we wanted more babies?!).
Reposted by Melissa Boteach
Medicaid means working families aren’t forced to choose between groceries and meds. It’s the difference between getting by and going underwater.
Victoria and Cole represent millions of families across the country who are coming together to say #NoMedicaidCuts.
Victoria and Cole represent millions of families across the country who are coming together to say #NoMedicaidCuts.
I’m proud to fight alongside families like Victoria and Cole - families whose entire lives are at stake as Congress plans to cut Medicaid to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.
Rep. Bresnahan: We’re watching, and we won’t back down. Do the right thing and #ProtectMedicaid
#CareCantWait
Rep. Bresnahan: We’re watching, and we won’t back down. Do the right thing and #ProtectMedicaid
#CareCantWait
May 13, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Medicaid means working families aren’t forced to choose between groceries and meds. It’s the difference between getting by and going underwater.
Victoria and Cole represent millions of families across the country who are coming together to say #NoMedicaidCuts.
Victoria and Cole represent millions of families across the country who are coming together to say #NoMedicaidCuts.
Reposted by Melissa Boteach
May 13, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Medicaid cuts = skipped doctor visits, missed developmental screenings and fewer mental health services for parents and children. Medicaid cuts drown people in red tape to keep coverage and strip healthcare from those who qualify.
Tell Congress: #NoMedicaidCuts
Tell Congress: #NoMedicaidCuts
May 13, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Medicaid cuts = skipped doctor visits, missed developmental screenings and fewer mental health services for parents and children. Medicaid cuts drown people in red tape to keep coverage and strip healthcare from those who qualify.
Tell Congress: #NoMedicaidCuts
Tell Congress: #NoMedicaidCuts
Reposted by Melissa Boteach
I’m proud to fight alongside families like Victoria and Cole - families whose entire lives are at stake as Congress plans to cut Medicaid to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.
Rep. Bresnahan: We’re watching, and we won’t back down. Do the right thing and #ProtectMedicaid
#CareCantWait
Rep. Bresnahan: We’re watching, and we won’t back down. Do the right thing and #ProtectMedicaid
#CareCantWait
May 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM
I’m proud to fight alongside families like Victoria and Cole - families whose entire lives are at stake as Congress plans to cut Medicaid to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.
Rep. Bresnahan: We’re watching, and we won’t back down. Do the right thing and #ProtectMedicaid
#CareCantWait
Rep. Bresnahan: We’re watching, and we won’t back down. Do the right thing and #ProtectMedicaid
#CareCantWait
New analysis finds that if congressional cuts to Medicaid go through, up to 350,000 people in Missouri could lose health coverage.
New op-ed by Lisa Mennet of Perigee Fund underscores the implications for babies, toddlers, and the families they rely on.
at: www.kansascity.com/opinion/read...
New op-ed by Lisa Mennet of Perigee Fund underscores the implications for babies, toddlers, and the families they rely on.
at: www.kansascity.com/opinion/read...
Missouri and Kansas families rely on Medicaid. Defend it - now | Opinion
More than 1.4 million Missourians need this vital program, including nearly 40% of our children. | Opinion
www.kansascity.com
May 12, 2025 at 3:43 PM
New analysis finds that if congressional cuts to Medicaid go through, up to 350,000 people in Missouri could lose health coverage.
New op-ed by Lisa Mennet of Perigee Fund underscores the implications for babies, toddlers, and the families they rely on.
at: www.kansascity.com/opinion/read...
New op-ed by Lisa Mennet of Perigee Fund underscores the implications for babies, toddlers, and the families they rely on.
at: www.kansascity.com/opinion/read...
Reposted by Melissa Boteach
#HappyMothersDay to everyone celebrating! Started the day w/ a 6am C-SPAN interview about the Public Policy Challenges Facing Moms & Families. Giant thank you to all the @momsrising.org members who’re working to make a better world for moms, families & kids! www.c-span.org/program/wash...
May 11, 2025 at 3:33 PM
#HappyMothersDay to everyone celebrating! Started the day w/ a 6am C-SPAN interview about the Public Policy Challenges Facing Moms & Families. Giant thank you to all the @momsrising.org members who’re working to make a better world for moms, families & kids! www.c-span.org/program/wash...
Trump budget proposal will propose eliminating Head Start & energy assistance for struggling households.
Can’t believe this needs to be said, but dismantling early education for preschoolers & raising families’ energy bills does not make America great or healthy.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...
Can’t believe this needs to be said, but dismantling early education for preschoolers & raising families’ energy bills does not make America great or healthy.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...
Exclusive: Trump budget proposal would fully eliminate Head Start
The White House's budget proposes eliminating Head Start, an early childhood education program that provides services to low-income families.
www.usatoday.com
April 12, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Trump budget proposal will propose eliminating Head Start & energy assistance for struggling households.
Can’t believe this needs to be said, but dismantling early education for preschoolers & raising families’ energy bills does not make America great or healthy.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...
Can’t believe this needs to be said, but dismantling early education for preschoolers & raising families’ energy bills does not make America great or healthy.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...
Reposted by Melissa Boteach
*Everyone* at every income level benefits from Medicaid – and if these cuts pass, we all lose.
The Senate votes soon on $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid, our #MedicaidMinute explores what’s at risk for people across the US, particularly middle-class families and rural communities.
#ProtectMedicaid
The Senate votes soon on $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid, our #MedicaidMinute explores what’s at risk for people across the US, particularly middle-class families and rural communities.
#ProtectMedicaid
April 4, 2025 at 4:41 PM
*Everyone* at every income level benefits from Medicaid – and if these cuts pass, we all lose.
The Senate votes soon on $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid, our #MedicaidMinute explores what’s at risk for people across the US, particularly middle-class families and rural communities.
#ProtectMedicaid
The Senate votes soon on $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid, our #MedicaidMinute explores what’s at risk for people across the US, particularly middle-class families and rural communities.
#ProtectMedicaid
I am excited to announce that I will be joining ZERO TO THREE as their next Chief Policy Officer starting on March 31!
I am thrilled to join their team of experts & leaders to champion a policy agenda that puts babies at the heart of the national conversation.
www.zerotothree.org/news/leading...
I am thrilled to join their team of experts & leaders to champion a policy agenda that puts babies at the heart of the national conversation.
www.zerotothree.org/news/leading...
Leading Advocate for Family Well-Being Melissa Boteach Joins ZERO TO THREE as Chief Policy Officer
CONTACT: Gina Davis, [email protected]; 202-864-2934 WASHINGTON, DC — ZERO TO THREE — the nation’s leading early childhood development nonprofit dedicated to ensuring all babies and toddlers have...
www.zerotothree.org
March 5, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I am excited to announce that I will be joining ZERO TO THREE as their next Chief Policy Officer starting on March 31!
I am thrilled to join their team of experts & leaders to champion a policy agenda that puts babies at the heart of the national conversation.
www.zerotothree.org/news/leading...
I am thrilled to join their team of experts & leaders to champion a policy agenda that puts babies at the heart of the national conversation.
www.zerotothree.org/news/leading...
Reposted by Melissa Boteach
This is the only thing you need to know heading into Donald Trump's State of the Union address tonight:
March 5, 2025 at 3:00 AM
This is the only thing you need to know heading into Donald Trump's State of the Union address tonight:
Reposted by Melissa Boteach
Not taxing Social Security benefits would be yet another tax cut for the wealthy at the expense of the Social Security trust fund that pays all of our benefits.
www.cbpp.org/blog/elimina...
www.cbpp.org/blog/elimina...
Eliminating Taxation of Social Security Benefits Would Be Unwise | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Social Security beneficiaries with higher incomes pay income tax on part of their benefits. Repealing the taxation of Social Security benefits, as President Trump has proposed, would be unwise...
www.cbpp.org
March 5, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Not taxing Social Security benefits would be yet another tax cut for the wealthy at the expense of the Social Security trust fund that pays all of our benefits.
www.cbpp.org/blog/elimina...
www.cbpp.org/blog/elimina...
Trump: “Rule of unelected bureaucrats is over…”except for Elon Musk who is taking an ax to key services with no accountability #jointaddress
March 5, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Trump: “Rule of unelected bureaucrats is over…”except for Elon Musk who is taking an ax to key services with no accountability #jointaddress