Next week, 36 million American households will Receive their third The recently expanded child tax credit is paid monthly. The credit that has long been supported by both parties and increased under the U.S. rescue plan, For the family With an average of more than US$400 per month, the cash injection predicted by experts can be Reduce child poverty in the country Nearly half.
However, the child tax credit expansion is temporary-it will expire in December.If maintained, it will Raised more than 4 million children Get rid of poverty and become rich, provide urgently needed Tax relief for working families with Promote the local economy. still, Some legislators Worry about costs. They should consider how this policy can change the way of life.
Many of these uncertain lawmakers, including some famous Democratic Party, Representing the states hardest hit by the national drug overdose crisis-West Virginia and Arizona. They should view the expanded tax credits and their monthly expenditures as a key tool to address the rising mortality from drug overdose.
The expanded child tax credit is an investment in the well-being of future generations. Addiction has its roots in childhood and adolescence.Nine out of ten addicts First-time substance Before the age of 18.Youth is More likely Addiction after growing up Under pressure Caused by family financial difficulties and parents’ drug abuse. By providing monthly support to families, the child tax credit promotes the health of children and adolescents who may become statistics on drug overdose in a year or two.
Addiction can happen to anyone.But it has caused particularly severe damage to poor, unemployed, housing and food insecure communities high. Each of these factors Worsened During the COVID-19 pandemic, despite physical distancing and home restrictions, addicts are isolated from the outside world and unable to access treatment and rehabilitation services.As a result, the United States Overdose deaths soar Reach the highest level in 2020, with more than 93,000 deaths in a single year.
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The hundreds of dollars that families in trouble receive through the expanded children’s tax credit each month can be Means difference Between housing and homelessness, between nutrition and hunger. Pulling the family back from the brink of economic collapse can avoid despair that can lead to addiction. For families already affected by drug addiction, the cash support of the child tax credit also provides the resources needed to recover from drug addiction.Addicted person Facing huge medical expenses, High insurance premiums and severe legal costs for criminal charges of drug possession, all of which hinder long-term recovery.
Some Argued Addicted parents who receive cash assistance will spend their money on drugs or alcohol. This assertion is based on the following observations: Rising rate of overdose Around 2020, people receive stimulus checks at the same time.
Research from other programs that provide cash to families tells a different story.Data from US with foreign exhibit Reduce When families receive cash benefits, spending on alcohol and tobacco may be due to reduced pressures related to economic stability.Most parents spend money on basic needs with other fee For their children.The real reason for the increase in drug overdose rates during the pandemic is addicts Stop treatment, Isolation and struggle.
If legislators let the children’s tax credit expire, families will fall into deeper financial despair.Take no action Congress, The tax credit will revert to an annual one-time payment, rather than reliable monthly support-allowing families and those who need 11 months of the year to be unable to help the addicted. Benefits will be reduced from US$3,000 per child from 6 to 17 years old and US$3,600 per child under 6 years old to US$2,000 per child. In addition, many parents who need it most will not be able to get this benefit.Before the US rescue plan was passed, the policy refused to provide all benefits to the lowest-income Americans, disproportionately ignoring Rural family with People of colorDuring the expansion process, more than 90% of households, including those with the lowest income, received full tax credits, ensuring that everyone who is at risk of financial hardship and causes addiction can benefit.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, child health experts like us have witnessed families falling into economic despair and addiction worsening. But we have also seen federal aid help families live and work in peace and contentment, with food on the table. Legislators should permanently expand the tax credit for children, provide families with financial security and hope for the future, and prevent a worsening addiction crisis.
Dr. Scott Hadland is a pediatrician and director of adolescent medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Allison Bovell-Ammon is the Director of Policy Strategy for Child Health Observation at Boston Medical Center.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author.
