Bill Overview
Title: Providing for Life Act
Description: This bill revises various programs and supports for families and children related to taxes, health, and other benefits. First, the bill increases the child tax credit to a maximum of $3,500 per child ($4,500 per child under the age of six) and makes permanent the increased income threshold over which the credit phases out. The bill further eliminates the federal deduction for certain state and local taxes (SALT deduction) and makes the adoption tax credit refundable. The bill allows parents to use a portion of their Social Security benefits for up to three months of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child. Additionally, the bill requires Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to cooperate with states in establishing child support orders. It also provides additional workforce training for noncustodial parents with child support obligations. States must establish requirements for the biological father of a child to pay, at the mother's request, at least 50% of reasonable out-of-pocket medical expenses associated with the mother's pregnancy and delivery. The bill requires institutions of higher education to provide students with certain information about the resources and services (excluding abortion services) available to pregnant students. Additionally, the bill provides grants for community-based maternal mentoring programs and for pregnancy resource centers that do not provide abortions; requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publish a website with specified pregnancy-related information; and extends from one to two years the postpartum benefit eligibility period under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Sponsors: Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-1]
Target Audience
Population: Families and individuals affected by programs related to children, taxes, health benefits, and parental supports
Estimated Size: 75000000
- The bill increases the child tax credit, impacting families with children by providing them with higher tax credits, which could affect a significant portion of the population with dependent children.
- By making the adoption tax credit refundable, it will affect individuals and families seeking to adopt children, potentially increasing the number of adoptions.
- The provision allowing parents to use Social Security benefits for paid parental leave will benefit new parents, both biological and adoptive, during the initial months after a child's birth or adoption.
- The modification of SNAP requirements and workforce training for noncustodial parents would impact individuals who receive SNAP and have child support responsibilities.
- Establishing requirements for biological fathers to pay reasonable out-of-pocket pregnancy and delivery expenses will impact fathers, particularly in cases where the mother requests their involvement in these costs.
- Colleges are required to provide resources to pregnant students, which impacts the student population, particularly pregnant students.
- The extension of the postpartum eligibility period for WIC affects new mothers and their families who rely on this program for nutritional support.
Reasoning
- The policy impacts a broad swath of the population ranging from early childhood care to college-aged individuals.
- Approximately 75 million Americans may be affected by some aspect of the policy due to the many facets it addresses, including child tax credits, adoption, SNAP, WIC, and education.
- Given the policy budget, not all components can be maximized, hence the focus will likely be more on the child tax credit and essential parental supports.
- For a significant impact at an individual level, the policies might particularly focus on families with young children or those planning to adopt, as these individuals' finances will benefit most from the proposals.
- The proposed increase in tax credits, paid parental leave, and extended WIC benefits are key financial support structures that can influence life satisfaction.
- The policy's requirement for biological fathers to share in pregnancy-related costs might have nuanced effects based on relationship dynamics.
Simulated Interviews
Accountant (New York, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The increased child tax credit would really help balance out some of my yearly expenses, especially now with everything being so expensive.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Software Developer (Denver, CO)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Paid parental leave using Social Security will help us spend more quality time with our newborn without worrying too much about immediate finances.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Non-profit Manager (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Making the adoption credit refundable makes the financial part of the adoption process less daunting and more accessible.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
College Student (Columbus, OH)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having resources and support information from my college is going to be essential to continue my education while raising a child.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Warehouse Worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The removal of the SALT deduction hurts a bit, but the overall benefits might compensate over time, especially with the workforce training.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Teacher (Seattle, WA)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't directly benefit from this policy, but I think supporting families with young children is crucial for our community's future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Social Worker (Miami, FL)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased child tax credits and SNAP cooperation requirements could help streamline some support services, making life a bit more manageable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Restaurant Owner (Chicago, IL)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The workforce training for noncustodial parents may help some of my employees with child support responsibilities, indirectly benefiting my business.
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 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Tech Sales Manager (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Losing the SALT deduction is frustrating, but the boosted child tax credit might ease things a bit.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Community College Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Extending WIC really takes some pressure off as I try to balance school and caring for my baby.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $7000000000 (Low: $6000000000, High: $8000000000)
Year 2: $7200000000 (Low: $6200000000, High: $8200000000)
Year 3: $7400000000 (Low: $6400000000, High: $8400000000)
Year 5: $7800000000 (Low: $6800000000, High: $8800000000)
Year 10: $8500000000 (Low: $7500000000, High: $9500000000)
Year 100: $10000000000 (Low: $9000000000, High: $11000000000)
Key Considerations
- The balance between increased costs due to higher tax credits and potential offsetting savings from the SALT deduction elimination needs careful consideration.
- Impacts on Social Security fund sustainability due to parental leave benefits structured as advances must be evaluated.
- The overall economic impact, including both increased disposable income from tax savings and potential state-level tax pressure due to SALT deduction changes, should be considered.