- The U.S. has the highest rate of poverty in the developed world
- many Americans are "working poor," which means people who are employed, but cannot earn enough to lift themselves out of poverty.
- In 2003, a survey found 36 million suffering from food and insecutiy, or the inability to buy enough healthy food.
- In 2004, the poverty percentage reached 12.7%
- Welfare was a program that emphasized on shifting from providing income to helping parents find jobs.
Medicare
- Health insurance program for the elderly.
Medicaid
- Health insurance assistance for the poor.
- Food stamps were introduced and millions of Americans continue to benefit from the programs today.