Shutterstock

POLITICS

New Revisions to Biden’s Build Back Better Plan

After debates and negotiations, President Biden’s Build Back Better Bill faces new revisions for the $1.75 trillion package. 
 Devi Bones / Shutterstock.com

After debates and negotiations, President Biden’s Build Back Better Bill faces new revisions for the $1.75 trillion package. 

It’s essential to understand the bill as it affects everyone in America. The bill aims to reach children, college students, immigration, medicare, families, housing, and much more. However, the bill had to cut some investments out due to disagreements in the White house. 

Originally, Biden planned to pass paid family and medical leave for 12 weeks. Unfortunately, the paid family leave plan was cut due to disagreements with Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia. In addition, Biden proposed two free years of community college. But, that plan would have cost $109 billion, which can further the U.S. debt. Dental and vision cost was also proposed in Medicare coverage, brought by Senator Sanders and President Biden. The proposal also came with an $800 voucher to help cover dental costs. Unfortunately, the plan was also cut. Lastly, the proposal for lower prescription drug prices was cut due to some pushback from moderate Democrats. 

Nevertheless, the bill remains to have some good proposals. For example, Biden proposed $550 billion to end the climate crisis. The climate bill, proposed by Senator Manchin, will provide $320 billion to expand clean energy tax credits to lower carbon emissions. Biden believes this will drive citizens to turn to solar panels and clean energy products. 

In addition, Medicare coverage will extend to hearing aids. Also, Medicaid coverage includes home-based services for seniors and disabled people. In turn, caregivers will receive an increase in benefits. 

For children ages 3 and 4, preschool would be free for at least 6 million children. This helps low-income families who cannot afford to put their children through a sound education system. Also, families will receive another year of the child tax credit, which provides direct cash payments from the IRS for children. The program offers $300 per child under six years old and $250 for each child between 6 and 17 years old monthly. Another family benefit is more funding for child care centers, which decreases child care costs for most families. 

In regards to college students, Pell Grants will increase by $500 from the $6,495 in annual assistance currently. Also, the bill proposes to increase funding for tribal colleges and HBCUs. 

To secure better housing, Biden proposed to invest $150 billion in affordable housing, which would result in 1 million new affordable apartments, rentable single-family homes, and down payment assistance. In addition, Biden plans to set aside $90 billion for a rural partnership program that provides funding for local community projects. The money will also go towards maternal health, covering supply chain disruptions, COVID 19 relief, protection from community violence.  Finally, Biden proposed subsidies for citizens using the federal systems when buying insurance. The bill will cover ACA premium tax credits for 4 million uninsured people living in states who reject extending Obamacare coverage. Overall, the premium tax credit will be reduced by $600 a year per person. 

President Biden’s Build Back Better Bill covers a range of issues in the United States, especially child care and the rising climate crises. Biden explains, “We need to build America from the bottom up and the middle out. Not from the top down –with more trickle-down economics that has always failed us.” Hopefully, these new changes will lead us into a new generation of bettering our community.