Live Radio
Parents and children rally in front of the U.S. Capitol December 13, 2021. The organization Parents Together Action held a rally with parents, caregivers and children to urge passage of the Build Back Better legislation to extend the expanded child tax credit. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption
Parents and children rally in front of the U.S. Capitol December 13, 2021. The organization Parents Together Action held a rally with parents, caregivers and children to urge passage of the Build Back Better legislation to extend the expanded child tax credit. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Alex Wong/Getty ImagesIt can be hard to see how big government policies have a direct effect on an individual's experience. But it was easy to measure the difference made by the expanded child tax credit.
Giving more money to low-income families with children had a big impact. After the expanded child tax credit took effect, child poverty hit a record low of 5.2% a year ago.
But less than a year later, Congress let it expire. New census data shows that child poverty has more than doubled.
Host Ari Shapiro speaks with pediatrician and researcher Megan Sandel, who has seen the health consequences for kids play out in real time.
Email us at
This episode was produced by Vincent Acovino and Brianna Scott. It was edited by Jeanette Woods, Christopher Intagliata, Jennifer Ludden, and Catherine Laidlaw. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
