Bill Overview
Title: MODERN WIC Act of 2022
Description: This bill makes various changes to allow individuals to remotely certify their eligibility for, and receive benefits through, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The Department of Agriculture must also report to Congress about the use of remote technologies and other tools in the WIC program.
Sponsors: Rep. Levin, Andy [D-MI-9]
Target Audience
Population: Women, infants, and children who participate or are eligible for the WIC program globally
Estimated Size: 7000000
- WIC stands for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, indicating that the target population includes women, infants, and children.
- This program services lower-income families who meet specific nutrition risk criteria, which will narrow the global target population to those in participating countries or communities.
- The bill allows for remote certification and receiving of benefits, potentially affecting not only current participants but also those who face barriers to in-person access.
- Expanding eligibility verification to remote means could increase program participation, impacting more individuals.
- WIC is a well-established program in the United States, meaning its current and potential new recipients based on this law change are primarily U.S. residents.
Reasoning
- The MODERN WIC Act aims to provide greater access to WIC benefits by enabling remote certification, which is particularly beneficial for individuals with transportation issues or who live in rural areas, thus potentially expanding the reach of the program.
- Considering the budgetary constraints, it is likely that the policy will first focus on areas with underserved populations where current infrastructure can be efficiently enhanced or adapted for remote access.
- Some individuals in urban centers may not see a significant change if they already have easy access to WIC services; however, those juggling multiple responsibilities might appreciate the time-saving remote option.
- The policy could also impact the workload of social workers and WIC staff who might need training to handle remote certifications, impacting their wellbeing as well.
- The inclusion of remote technologies aligns with the overall trend towards digital transformation in welfare services, suggesting secondary impacts such as increased satisfaction among tech-savvy populations or initial barriers for those less comfortable with technology.
Simulated Interviews
Homemaker (Rural Iowa)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Remote certification sounds very helpful because driving to the office is a hassle, especially with my kids.
- I think this will be a big relief for many moms in our area who struggle to get to appointments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Part-time cashier (Urban California)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This change might make it easier for me to apply and get some help; it's hard to find time to visit offices with my work hours.
- If I can do it all remotely, it would really be beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Farmer (Rural Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful this will mean I can handle things on my phone instead of needing to leave the farm.
- This could save me a lot of time organizing trips into town.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Stay-at-home mom (Suburban Florida)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Remote options make juggling appointments and the kids much easier; really looking forward to its implementation.
- It seems like it would relieve some stress knowing I can manage it online.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Teacher (Urban New York)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I like the idea, but I'm not sure if I'll use it unless the process is super straightforward.
- Seems like it could be convenient if time is a constraint.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
WIC program administrator (Northern Oregon)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is crucial as it modernizes access and expounds reach substantially.
- It will streamline work for us in terms of expanding reach but might initially require adjusting our workflow.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Freelance writer (Rural Montana)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This really sounds like a step in the right direction for remote, rural communities like ours.
- If I can certify remotely, I'll definitely apply.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Healthcare worker (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'll keep an eye on the policy changes, but I'm not sure I'll switch to using the benefits.
- I think it's more impactful for families in greater need.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Student (Southern Illinois)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Remote certification would likely make it easier for me to apply while managing my studies.
- It's a big stress relief to have easier access to potential support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Social worker (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The remote certification can really help streamline support services and reduce barriers.
- I anticipate initial adjustments but long-term benefits for many clients.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000000 (Low: $180000000, High: $220000000)
Year 2: $210000000 (Low: $190000000, High: $230000000)
Year 3: $220000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $240000000)
Year 5: $240000000 (Low: $220000000, High: $260000000)
Year 10: $270000000 (Low: $245000000, High: $295000000)
Year 100: $400000000 (Low: $360000000, High: $440000000)
Key Considerations
- The long-term scalability of the remote system may require periodic upgrades and maintenance, impacting future costs.
- Equity of access; some rural or underserved urban areas may have limited internet access, affecting implementation.
- There may be an increase in initial fraudulent claims which would need to be addressed through robust verification systems.