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University of Wisconsin–Madison
Poverty-related issues in the news, from the Institute for Research on Poverty

Day: July 3, 2012

Euro Zone Unemployment

  • Unemployment in Euro Zone hits record high, By David Jolly, July 2, 2012, New York Times: “Fundamental weaknesses in the euro zone economy were back in the spotlight Monday, with the release of reports showing record unemployment in May, a decline in manufacturing and intense pressure on French public finances just days after European leaders decided on measures to reinforce the longer-term prospects for the currency union. Unemployment in the euro zone rose in May to 11.1 percent from 11.0 percent in April, Eurostat, the statistical agency of the European Union, reported from Luxembourg. The May jobless figure was the highest recorded since the creation of the euro in 1999…”
  • Eurozone unemployment rises to 11.1 percent in May, highest rate since euro was established, Associated Press, July 2, 2012, Washington Post: “Unemployment in the 17-country euro currency bloc hit another record in May as the crippling financial crisis pushed the continent toward the brink of recession, official figures showed Monday. Eurostat, the EU’s statistics office, said unemployment rose to 11.1 percent in May from 11 percent the previous month. May’s rate was the highest since the euro was launched in 1999 and adds further urgency to the eurozone countries’ plan to create economic growth and cut excessive government debt…”

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

  • Va. to stagger food-stamp payouts to ease crowding, By Jennifer Jiggetts, July 2, 2012, Virginian-Pilot: “The first of every month, about 440,000 households in the state get their monthly allotment of food stamps – now known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits – and many promptly head to their local grocery stores. Checkout lines can be much longer. Items such as Cheerios and broccoli can disappear from shelves. Some stores bring in extra staff. Only nine states do business this way. Now, that’s about to change in Virginia, as the state Department of Social Services will begin to alter the way it issues SNAP benefits in September. By October the benefits will be dispersed on the 1st, 4th, 7th and 9th of the month, based on the last digit of the recipient’s case number…”
  • Funds at risk: Once known as food stamps, SNAP provides food to poor, By Melissa Miller, July 1, 2012, Southeast Missourian: “She used to work two jobs and made good money. Now a health condition keeps her from working full-time. So a 32-year-old Cape Girardeau single mom depends on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, to help her take care of her 3-year-old son. The $342 a month the woman, who asked not to be named, receives from the SNAP program could be cut as part of a plan to save taxpayer dollars and reduce fraud under the 2012 Farm Bill approved in June by the U.S. Senate. The bill, known as the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act, provides subsidies to farmers and funds the USDA’s nutrition assistance programs for low-income Americans…”

Medicaid and Dental Care

For some on Medicaid, just finding a dentist can be a challenge, By Jessica Alaimo, July 1, 2012, Coshocton Tribune: “You’re at a job interview, so smile. But if you’re missing teeth, you’re less likely to get hired. Ohio’s Medicaid-eligible population largely ignore their dental health, dental professionals say. This means minor problems turn into big problems that frequently end up with the dentist yanking out the problematic tooth. A big part of the problem is access. Just 28 percent of dentists in the state accept Medicaid or one of its managed care plans, according to the Universal Health Care Action Network of Ohio. Dentists say they lose money on Medicaid patients since the reimbursement rate is too low and the paperwork is burdensome. Joan Durben, public assistance administrator for Coshocton County’s Department of Job and Family Services, said most Medicaid patients end up going to a clinic for care…”