Poverty - Experimental Measures

The Census Bureau's Plans for Poverty Measurement Research: Attachment B

ATTACHMENT B: P60-RD Report on Poverty Measurement : Preliminary Outline

I. Summary

II. Introduction

1. Background on National Academy of Sciences Report
2. Plan of this report

III. Variations on a theme examining only one change at a time, all else the same as the official measure for a given year - 1991

1. Experimental thresholds with official resources
1. Cost of basic bundle
2. Equivalence scales
3. Multipliers
4. Geographic adjustments
2. Experimental resources using Current Population Survey with official thresholds
1. Work expenses
2. Childcare expenses
3. Taxes
4. Housing subsidy valuation
5. Other in-kind non-medical benefits
6. Medical expenses
3. Elements in both resources and thresholds, all else as in official measure
1. Owner-occupied housing
2. Cohabiting couples
3. In-kind medical benefits

IV. Some(perhaps three) "Combination Measures" (yet to be determined)

1. For each Combination measure
1. CPS and SIPP for 1991
2. Time series estimates, CPS 1991-1997
3. Standardized to official rates for 1991 and 1997

V. Other issues

1. Updating over time
2. Medical care risk index
3. Data needs: SIPP, CPS, CEX
4. Poverty measurement in the decennial census and American Community Survey

VI. Future Research