Latest news with #EmilyPeck
Axios
3 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Utah day care costs for two children balloon
Daycare for one toddler and one infant in Utah on average costs approximately $24,000 a year, according to data from Child Care Aware, an advocacy group. By the numbers: To put it in perspective, that's roughly $5,400 more annually than you'd pay for the average one-bedroom apartment in Salt Lake City. The big picture: The cost of child care in the U.S. just keeps climbing as prices rose 29% from 2020 to 2024, outpacing overall inflation, Axios' Emily Peck reports. Why it matters: Rising costs put a huge financial strain on families, forcing some parents — typically women — to either ratchet back their working hours or leave the labor force entirely. For single parents, the calculus can be even more painful. It's also a drag on economic growth overall. By the numbers: The average annual cost of daycare tuition nationwide for one toddler and one infant rose to $28,168 last year, per the report. That's about 35% of median household annual income in the U.S., based on Census data released in 2024. Between the lines: The percentages are no less brutal in states with higher incomes. The cost of care for two children in Massachusetts is $47,012 — 44% of the median household income in that state. Zoom out: The U.S. doesn't have publicly funded universal childcare. However, the federal government does put money into the system for kids in low-income families through block grants to the states, as well as Head Start, the decades-old federal program that provides childcare, nutrition assistance and other services to the nation's poorest families There were worries that the White House would stop funding Head Start, but the administration has said that won't happen. Yes, but: President Trump's budget proposals look to keep federal funding levels for child care flat next year — that's effectively a cut given inflation, says Anne Hedgepeth, senior vice president of policy and research at Child Care Aware.
Axios
3 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Mapped: Childcare costs in Arkansas
The cost of child care in Arkansas is one of the lowest in the nation, but the cost of care for two kids still costs roughly 27% of the median household annual income, according to Census data. Why it matters: Rising child care costs put a huge financial strain on families, forcing some parents — typically women — to either ratchet back their working hours or leave the labor force entirely, Axios' Emily Peck writes. For single parents, the calculus can be even more painful. It's also a drag on economic growth overall. The big picture: The cost of child care in the U.S. just keeps climbing — a new report finds that prices rose 29% from 2020 to 2024, outpacing overall inflation. By the numbers: The average annual cost of daycare tuition nationwide for two children — one toddler and one infant — rose to $28,168 last year, according to data from Child Care Aware, an advocacy group. Zoom in: In Arkansas, it's $17,500. Zoom out: The U.S. doesn't have publicly funded universal childcare. However, the federal government does put money into the system for low-income kids through block grants to the states, as well as Head Start, the decades-old federal program that provides childcare, nutrition assistance and other services to the nation's poorest families There were worries that the White House would stop funding Head Start, but the administration has said that won't happen.
Axios
3 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Tennessee child care costs lead the Southeast, report finds
The cost of child care in Tennessee and around the nation is skyrocketing, with a new report finding that it's outpacing overall inflation. Why it matters: Rising child care costs put a huge financial strain on families, Axios' Emily Peck reports. They can force some parents — typically women — to either ratchet back their working hours or leave the labor force entirely. For single parents, the calculus can be even more painful. Stunning stat: An annual report on Tennessee children found a year of infant care was more expensive than in-state tuition at all but one of the state's public universities. By the numbers: The average annual cost of daycare tuition in Tennessee for two children — one toddler and one infant — rose to about $24,000 last year, according to data from Child Care Aware, an advocacy group. That's the highest price tag for child care in the Southeast. It's also a third of Tennessee's median household annual income, based on census data released in 2024. What he's saying: Gov. Bill Lee acknowledged the burden in this year's State of the State address. "If we really want to create an environment for families to thrive, we have to find innovative ways to make child care more accessible and more affordable," Lee said. State of play: This year's budget included $10.9 million to bolster child care programs at Boys and Girls Club locations. Lee said that would help educate thousands of kids. About $7.2 million will go toward growing a state program that offers supplemental income to child care workers in an effort to reduce turnover. Nearly $6 million was added to expand child care support for low-income families. Zoom out: Federal grants help fund state support for kids from low-income families. The federal government also funds Head Start, the decades-old federal program that provides child care, nutrition assistance and other services to the nation's poorest families. There were worries that the White House would stop funding Head Start, but the administration has said that won't happen. Yes, but: President Trump's budget proposals look to keep federal funding levels for child care flat next year. That's a troubling sign given continued inflation, says Anne Hedgepeth, senior vice president of policy and research at Child Care Aware.
Axios
13-05-2025
- Health
- Axios
How the GOP's proposed federal Medicaid cuts would impact N.C.
Millions of Americans could lose health care coverage under a long-awaited proposal unveiled Sunday night by U.S. House Republicans that would slash $880 billion in federal Medicaid spending. Why it matters: States have been bracing for details on how exactly House Republicans would slash Medicaid funding, with North Carolina estimating that in the worst-case scenario, the state could lose out on some $27 billion in federal Medicaid funds over the span of 10 years. North Carolina's worst fears for how Republicans could cut Medicaid were not realized. Still, under the proposal, the state could have to spend more on Medicaid or cut benefits for some of the 2.9 million residents covered under the program. Driving the news: The new proposal, which aims to slash federal spending to fund Republicans' desired tax cuts, would implement work requirements for non-pregnant Medicaid recipients ages 19-64. It's a way to reduce benefits without outright eliminating them, Axios' Emily Peck writes. The proposal would also increase the frequency of checks on Medicaid eligibility — to every six months rather than annually — and would restrict Medicaid funding for abortion providers. The big picture: Should the proposal become law, an estimated 8.6 million people nationwide would lose health care coverage by 2034, per the Congressional Budget Office. Zoom in: The legislation would also ban new or increased provider taxes, effectively freezing the taxes at current rates, Axios' Peter Sullivan and Victoria Knight report, which could squeeze state budgets. North Carolina uses provider taxes to pay for 26% — or $2.5 billion — of its Medicaid program. Yes, but: North Carolina was bracing for either a possible per-capita cap on the money states receive for each enrollee or a reduction of contribution amounts to states that have expanded Medicaid. Both of those changes could have upended the state's Medicaid program and led to drastic cuts. Threat level: It's not yet known how many North Carolinians the proposal could affect; states are scrambling to analyze their respective impacts. "The proposals, including work requirements and increasing frequency of redeterminations will increase the overall cost for state and federal governments while creating additional barriers for people to access critical care," North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services. "Additionally, people who are eligible for Medicaid could lose coverage due to administrative hurdles."
Axios
29-04-2025
- Health
- Axios
Illinois Head Start joins national lawsuit against HHS
The Illinois Head Start Association has joined parent advocates and Head Start programs from Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington in a lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over potential cuts to the Head Start program. Why it matters: Head Start serves more than 790,000 children through age 5 who rely on the federal programs for learning, meals and health care services, per a report from Center for American Progress, Axios' Emily Peck reports. Driving the news: Illinois Head Start Association (HSA) and others filed the complaint in Washington state on Monday, following news of a leaked HHS budget that showed Head Start would be cut. Flashback: Congress created Head Start in 1965 to provide early education and child care for families in need. Head Start has served 40 million children nationwide throughout its history, according to the lawsuit. Zoom out: Plaintiffs point to recent news reports that say President Trump's budget calls for the elimination of Head Start by September and budget materials that say the program uses "a 'radical' curriculum and gives preference to illegal immigrants." The lawsuit says the Trump administration "criticizes (Head Start) for diversity, equity and inclusion programming and the use of resources that encourage toddlers to welcome children and families with different sexual orientations." HHS has already closed half of the Head Start locations nationwide, including Chicago's. Zoom in: Illinois HSA reiterated in the lawsuit its mission to serve all of Illinois, stating that its "members adhere to Program Standards of Conduct, which require that staff, consultants, contractors, and volunteers will respect and promote the unique identity of each child and family, without stereotyping on any basis, including gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or family composition." Illinois HSA also serves immigrants, refugees, and other families with limited English proficiency. By the numbers: Illinois HSA received $455 million in federal funding last year and serves about 28,000 kids annually. More than 14% of children in Head Start have disabilities, and nearly 8% are experiencing homelessness, according to the lawsuit. What they're saying: "Head Start is one of the most popular and effective federal programs," Illinois HSA executive director Lauri Frichtl said in a statement. "It has made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of young people from all backgrounds and communities in Illinois. We are committed to continuing this service for all children."
