3 million children in the U.S to lose health care facility

WASHINGTON – At least three million children are at risk of losing health care, and 230,000 childcare workers fear for their jobs in the U.S.

Such is the concern that 70% of voters say they will support congressional candidates who work to expand affordable childcare options.

According to a report released Wednesday by the Century Foundation, that doom looms unless lawmakers renew pandemic-era aid.

That aid expires on Sept. 30.

The report says more than 70,000 childcare programs -a third of those supported by American Rescue Plan stabilization funding – are likely to close.

About 3.2 million children will lose their childcare slots.

In addition, the loss of tax and business revenue will likely cost states $10.6 billion in economic activity per year.

In addition, researchers projected a loss of $9 billion due to parents having to leave the workforce or reduce their hours.

In six states – Arkansas, Montana, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, as well as Washington, D.C. – the number of authorized programs could be cut by half or more.

In another 14 states, the number of licensed programs could be reduced by one-third.

The researchers found that nearly two-thirds 64% of adults are concerned about the impending loss of federal funding for child care.

More than half 54% of parents said it would take them longer than a month to find a suitable alternative if their current program closed.

Congress appropriated $52.5 billion in emergency funds during the deadly Covid 19 pandemic to support the nation’s privatized, market-based childcare sector.

Two bipartisan relief measures enacted in 2020 provided $13.5 billion in Child Care and Development Block Grants to states.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed by President Joe Biden in March 2021, provided an additional $39 billion in childcare stabilization grants.

Of those funds, $37.5 billion will be exhausted on Sept. 30.

The $15 billion will expire a year later.