Compiled by Willie Roberson, a Summer 2012 Leadership Conference Education Fund Intern.

Immigration and Keeping Families Intact

Editorial
The Los Angeles Times

Caring parents are losing their parental rights due to the current immigration system. A study conducted by the Applied Research Center has found that some 5,000 children in more than 20 states have been put in foster care after their parents were detained or deported by immigration authorities. Experts state that parents who are detained often face a multitude of obstacles communicating with their family making it more difficult to keep track of their children. Because of this lack of control and communication, several U.S. courts have placed children in these situations up for adoption, oftentimes without the parent’s consent. The Los Angeles Times highlights that the Help Separated Families Act of 2012 could make it more difficult for state and local agencies to separate families, but notes that one piece of legislation is a long way from much needed comprehensive immigration reform.

Health Insurance Rebates May Keep Premiums Down for Everyone

Kelly Kennedy
USA Today

Now that the Affordable Care Act has been ruled constitutional, many of its key provisions are beginning to take effect and many, if not all Americans are receiving a benefit. The law requires health insurers to cover at least 80% of consumers’ premiums, if they don’t, they must issue their customers a rebate to cover the difference. Insurers and government officials are seeing premiums decrease due to these rebates and continued innovation within the industry to reduce costs. Large insurers are helping reduce hospital readmission rates by making sure patients receive follow-up care as well as coordinated care. Even though several major insurance agencies placed cost effective measures into effect before the Affordable Care Act took effect, the law gave a sense of urgency to those who had not.

Study: Romney Tax Plan Would Result In Cuts for Rich, Higher Burden for Others

Lori Montgomery
Washington Post

Mitt Romney’s tax code would produce larger bills for 95% of Americans according to a study conducted by Brookings Institution researchers. Romney’s plan includes tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans while reducing tax collections by about $360 billion, the study finds. The Brookings Institute analyzed Romney’s tax plan and concluded that, even in the event Republicans in Congress achieve their tax reform goals, his plan would have to generate revenue by slashing tax breaks for mortgage interest, employer-provided health care, education, medical expenses, state and local taxes, and child care — all breaks that benefit the middle class.