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: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Target Audience
Population: People in families, particularly those with children, impacted by revised tax and social support provisions
Estimated Size: 100000000
- The bill affects families and children by revising tax credits such as the child tax credit and the adoption tax credit, directly impacting parents, particularly families with low to moderate incomes.
- Parental leave benefits will affect employed parents, allowing them up to three months of paid leave, impacting potentially all working parents in the U.S.
- The requirement for SNAP recipients to cooperate in child support orders will affect low-income families receiving SNAP benefits.
- Workforce training for noncustodial parents will impact individuals responsible for child support who are seeking employment opportunities.
- Universities and pregnant students will be affected due to the requirement for institutions to inform about pregnancy resources.
- Grants for maternal mentoring and pregnancy resource centers target organizations involved in maternal and child health care, impacting all expecting mothers.
- The postpartum benefit extension under WIC affects postpartum women, allowing more to remain eligible for nutritional assistance for a longer period.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily targets families with children by enhancing tax credits, providing paid parental leave, and extending WIC benefits. This could significantly improve the financial stability and wellbeing of low to moderate-income families.
- Families not receiving SNAP benefits or those without children might see little to no impact from the policy changes.
- Parental leave benefits may improve work-life balance for new parents, potentially affecting their wellbeing positively, particularly among employed individuals.
- The increase in costs due to the SALT deduction removal might offset benefits for some higher-taxed states.
- Noncustodial parents responsible for child support may benefit from workforce training, potentially improving their financial situation and ability to meet child support obligations.
Simulated Interviews
Nurse (Chicago, IL)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The increase in the child tax credit will help our family save more for our children's education.
- Having access to paid leave is a relief as it takes off some financial pressure during childbirth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Unemployed (Rural Alabama)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The job training programs might help me find a better job to support my kid.
- I'm concerned about being forced into working with the child support system, but if it helps my child, I support it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Tech Consultant (New York City, NY)
Age: 38 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Losing the SALT deduction will increase our tax burden, negating some benefits of this Act for us.
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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
College Student (Austin, TX)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The information and resources provided by my university really helped me plan for my pregnancy.
- I look forward to the extended WIC benefits which will be a big help after the baby arrives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Teacher (Arizona)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The change in child tax credit positively impacts our financial planning.
- The SALT deduction removal is concerning given our state's tax setup.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Waitress (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having to cooperate with child support orders adds more bureaucracy but hopefully helps in the long run.
- The increase in child tax credit will help ease my financial burdens.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Freelancer (Houston, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Being able to use Social Security benefits for parental leave is a great support for freelancers like me.
- Child tax credit just made starting a family more financially viable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Social Worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As I do not have children, most aspects of the policy do not affect me directly.
- I appreciate the community grants, as they improve the support services I'm involved with.
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 | 9 | 9 |
Small Business Owner (Boston, MA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The refundable adoption tax credit eases our financial burdens from adoption fees.
- Paid parental leave using Social Security benefits is a huge plus for small business owners like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Construction Worker (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The extra child tax credit and extended WIC benefits significantly relieve some financial pressure.
- I am somewhat concerned about state-coordinated SNAP benefits additions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $4000000000 (Low: $3500000000, High: $4500000000)
Year 2: $4100000000 (Low: $3600000000, High: $4600000000)
Year 3: $4200000000 (Low: $3700000000, High: $4700000000)
Year 5: $4500000000 (Low: $4000000000, High: $5000000000)
Year 10: $5000000000 (Low: $4500000000, High: $5500000000)
Year 100: $5500000000 (Low: $5000000000, High: $6000000000)
Key Considerations
- Alterations in tax credits and deductions may have uneven impacts across different states depending on state tax codes.
- Long-term fiscal impacts include potential strain on the Social Security administration due to the parental leave provision.
- Implementation of these changes will require robust administrative capability to manage expanded benefit programs and ensure compliance with new requirements.