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A Credit to Health:
The Health Effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The opportunity to live a healthy life begins long before a person shows up at the doctor's office or hospital; health begins where people live, learn, work, and play. State policy can improve health outcomes by enhancing the conditions in local communities and the economic security of families. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit for lower-income working families. Research has found that, in addition to helping families to make ends meet in the short term, the EITC can improve health outcomes for children, adults, and neighborhoods in the long term.
Studies find the EITC is associated with improved prenatal and infant health. A $1,000 increase in the maximum EITC, for instance, reduced instances of low birthweight by 5.6 percent. EITC-eligible households are also found to spend relatively more on healthy foods like fruits and vegetables during months when most EITC benefits are paid. The report looks at the EITC's effects on low birthweights, gestation time, educational outcomes, and the health of mothers and other adults.
Read the full report here.
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| The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. |
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