What holes exist today? Who is falling through the gaps and why?

Focusing on the findings of the Academy’s Economic Security Study Panel, this session will examine several data points to begin a discussion of how a bolder, more coordinated effort across policy areas might address the needs of specific communities and improve the economic security of all Americans.

This session will focus on opportunities to simplify, align, and improve existing programs. What can be achieved within the constraints of the current system (social insurance and social assistance programs)?

This session will unpack how cash payments directly to individuals/households would be helpful to a variety of communities. How would a new system of cash payments fit within the current ecosystem of programs, and what might it accomplish for stakeholders that current programs cannot? What are the drawbacks?

Designed to build on earlier sessions of the conference, Session 5 will focus on how combined approaches – using guaranteed income policies and other ways to improve current programs – might form contemporary pathways to economic security. Stakeholders will also discuss lessons learned from past efforts, and where we must be careful moving forward.

This session will discuss equitable options to raise tax revenues to finance new income security spending, and the implications for economic security of certain tax policies. What tax policies might be feasible?