This blog is a place for journalists to discuss their experiences covering poverty. It works in tandem with onpoverty.org, a site run by Washington and Lee University's American Poverty Journalism Center.
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Doctors seeking visas meet towns seeking doctors
A job fair in New York attracted foreign doctors who seek not only a job, but a green card that will allow them to stay in the United States. The doctors’ visas require them to return home for two years, but working in “medically undeserved areas” may qualify them for visa waivers. Many doctors are able to take such jobs because they do not have student loans to repay, unlike newly trained U.S. doctors. Original story
Labels: foreign doctors, jobs, visas
Should benefits recipients undergo drug testing?
A candidate for the South Carolina state legislature is promoting a proposal to require anyone receiving government assistance to submit to drug testing. The disabled would be excluded. Democrat Weldon Davis says some people receiving monthly welfare checks and applying for food stamps are “beating the system” and abusing the benefits. Similar legislation in Michigan was found unconstitutional in 1999 as a violation of the Fourth Amendment bar against unreasonable search and seizure.Original story
Labels: drug testing, food stamps, government assistance, welfare
Unemployment claims and benefits reach new heights
The weakening economy and Hurricanes Ike and Gustav brought applications for unemployment benefits to a seven-year at the end of September, according to the Labor Department. Weekly jobless claims have now topped 400,000 for 11 straight weeks, which economists consider a sign of recession. The number of people receiving jobless benefits is at a five-year high. Original story
Labels: economy, hurricane gustav, hurricane ike, jobless, unemployment
Growing medical bills cause growing financial problems
Recent studies show that increasing healthcare costs are proving to be a growing concern for a growing number of Americans. With medical expenses up 5% from last year, more and more Americans are finding healthcare less affordable. However, both insured and uninsured families are borrowing money and filing bankruptcy due to high medical bills. Some patients are skipping out on treatment due to the high costs, leading to more seriously health issues and complications.Original story
Labels: bankruptcy, healthcare, medical bills
Tube-tying proposition would target women in welfare
Rep. John LaBruzzo (R- Metairie) is considering a sterilization program that pays poor women to undergo tubal litigation, a procedure in where fallopian tubes are tied as a form of birth control. He has gathered through research that Americans who are on welfare reproduce at a much higher rate than those who are wealthier and more-educated. He claims that the procedure will prevent generational welfare. The plan also offers tax incentives to college-educated affluent Americans to have more children. Original story
Labels: generational welfare, sterilization, tubal litigation, welfare
Boston schools see increase in homeless students
The number of homeless students in Boston schools has reached 350, which is 100 more than in October 2007. School officials are struggling to accommodate the increase and are worried about the effect of homelessness on children’s academic performance and well-being. Over the past three years, the number of homeless students in the state of Massachusetts has increased from 7,000 to almost 12,000. Schooling them costs additional money for food, tutoring, counseling and transportation.Original story
Labels: boston, homeless, poverty, public schools, students
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