Good morning, I'm Sean Spence with your Poverty Minute, delivering the latest United States Poverty Headlines. This episode covers the newly released 2025 Federal poverty guidelines by Health and Human Services, raising concerns over the disbanding of the team responsible for setting these crucial thresholds. The implications are potentially wide-reaching, affecting eligibility for vital programs that millions of Americans rely on daily.

The episode delves into the pressing issues faced by Missouri, where Medicaid is a lifeline for more than one in five residents, and threats from proposed Republican legislation could impact families critically reliant on this support. An analysis by the Congressional Budget Office suggests that current legislative changes could significantly add to the national deficit.

Additionally, the discussion highlights potential economic repercussions in Ohio, where proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP might significantly reduce income for the poorest households. The state also explores the introduction of work requirements for Medicaid eligibility.

On a positive note, Social Security's pivotal role in poverty alleviation is emphasized, with the program lifting 28 million Americans out of poverty, more than all other federal programs combined, maintaining a stable poverty rate of 11.1% in 2023. Join us for these discussions and more on this episode of Poverty Minute.