NCJ Number
51832
Journal
US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT Issue: 84 Dated: (JANUARY 9, 1978) Pages: 41-44
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
AN INTERVIEW IN WHICH HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE SECRETARY JOSEPH CALIFANO EXAMINES THE CARTER ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSED CHANGES TO PREVENT FRAUD IN THE WELFARE SYSTEM IS TRANSCRIBED.
Abstract
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS CONCERN THE EXTENT OF FRAUD AND WASTE IN THE WELFARE PROGRAM, THE NUMBER OF PERSONS CHEATING THE WELFARE SYSTEM, EXAMPLES OF IRREGULARITIES IN THE WELFARE SYSTEM, MEASURES TO CURB FRAUD, KEY ELEMENTS OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S WELFARE REFORM PLAN, COST OF PROPOSED CHANGES, PROVISION OF JOBS FOR WELFARE RECIPIENTS WHO WANT TO WORK, PROVISION OF JOBS BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ABORTION, HEALTH CARE COSTS, HEALTH INSURANCE, DRUG SAFETY REGULATIONS, ANTISMOKING CAMPAIGNS, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, MINIMUM STANDARDS IN BASIC SKILLS FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES, RACIAL DESEGREGATION, DISCRIMINATION, AND FEDERAL INTERVENTION LAWS. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE CARTER ADMINISTRATION'S PROGRAM IS TO TARGET FUNDS ON PEOPLE IN REAL NEED AND TO ELIMINATE ASPECTS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM THAT ARE ANTIJOB AND ANTIFAMILY. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EXAMPLE OF BENEFITS THAT DO NOT REACH PEOPLE IN NEED IS THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM. WHEN IT GOES INTO EFFECT IN 1981, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION'S PROGRAM WILL COST $2.8 BILION MORE A YEAR THAN THE EXISTING WELFARE SYSTEM. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE $28,3 BILION THAT IS ALREADY BEING SPENT ON WELFARE, JOBS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS. (DEP)