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Poverty Line Act of 2023
2/6/2024, 6:49 PM
Summary of Bill HR 6639
The bill proposes several key changes to the current method of determining the poverty line. One of the most significant changes is the inclusion of additional factors such as regional cost of living and expenses related to healthcare and childcare. This would provide a more accurate representation of the true cost of living for individuals and families in different parts of the country.
Furthermore, the bill aims to increase transparency and accountability in the process of setting the poverty line. It calls for regular reviews and updates to ensure that the poverty line reflects current economic conditions and societal needs. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to improve access to government assistance programs for individuals living below the poverty line. This includes expanding eligibility criteria and increasing funding for programs that provide essential support to low-income individuals and families. Overall, the Poverty Line Act of 2023 seeks to address the shortcomings of the current method of calculating the poverty line and provide a more accurate and comprehensive measure of poverty in the United States. It is currently under review in Congress and has garnered bipartisan support for its efforts to improve the lives of those living in poverty.
Congressional Summary of HR 6639
Poverty Line Act of 2023
This bill revises the methodology used to calculate the federal poverty guidelines. The federal poverty guidelines are used to determine eligibility for many federal and state public assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the National School Lunch Program. The poverty guidelines are currently calculated by adjusting the Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index.
The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to calculate regional poverty guidelines based on a combination of factors including average household expenditures on food, clothing, utilities, and transportation; the average cost of rental housing; and the average cost of health insurance. These factors shall be calculated using regional data as applicable. HHS must make available to the public a tool for determining the poverty guideline applicable to a given household.
The new regional poverty guidelines established by HHS may not be lower than existing, corresponding poverty guidelines as of the date of enactment of the bill. HHS shall review and evaluate the poverty guidelines at least every four years and propose changes to this methodology as appropriate.
The bill shall take effect three years after its enactment.
