Without minimizing the scale of the economic plunge, it's proper to place comparisons between today's figures and economic situation and those of the Depression in perspective. In short: The differences are greater than the similarities.
The unemployment insurance provisions in the Social Security Act arose from programs already launched in Wisconsin and Ohio, which levied assessments on workers and employers. The act ultimately created a hybrid state-federal system with an annual federal appropriation of $49 million. That’s the structure that exists today, which is what gives Congress the ability to increase unemployment benefits when economic conditions warrant.
That’s enough to provide some workers with more than they were earning on the job. But the increase is aimed at encouraging workers who have a choice to stay home to reduce the spread of the virus, as well as to ensure that they can feed their families and pay rent while their employers are shut down.
The Great Society programs Medicare and Medicaid, which provide coverage for seniors and low-income families, have patched some of these holes, and the Affordable Care Act, enacted in 2010, has improved access to coverage for more low-income households and others without access to employer-sponsored or public coverage. But the crisis shows the urgency of moving toward universal healthcare.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Column: Home with Dudamel, Kehane, Mehta: Social distancing can't stop the sharing of musicOur critic virtually joins Zubin Mehta conducting “Nessun Dorma,” Gustavo Dudamel chatting and Jeffrey Kehane delivering an eloquent “America the Beautiful.”
Read more »
Column: The DOJ just made it too easy to link coronavirus to terrorismWe should confine terrorism crimes to offenses involving violence and intimidation against a large body of civilians in pursuit of political aims.
Read more »
Column: You can thank the coronavirus for a plunge in robocallsThe number of robocalls plummeted last month as call centers closed for coronavirus lockdowns and social distancing. 'With everything else going on, a few hundred million fewer robocalls helps a little,' writes columnist DavidLaz.
Read more »
Column: Amid an epidemic, Trump is still making decisions that could kill peoplePresident Trump's decisions not to reopen Obamacare plans and to roll back auto emissions rules are deadly.
Read more »
Column: Here's how one L.A. business owner is navigating government help for coronavirusHe's the co-owner of two very different small businesses — the Larchmont neighborhood’s Chevalier’s Books and Felix Chevrolet in downtown Los Angeles. Columnist hiltzikm explains how one L.A. business owner is navigating government help for coronavirus:
Read more »
Column: Flesh-eating apocalyptic films and shows didn't prepare us for this pandemic's horrorViruses, rage, zombies — those wildly popular films and shows about the apocalypse don't give a road map for this real-life crisis.
Read more »