¹ú²úÊÓƵ

The safety net on which Americans once relied is fast unraveling. With retirement plans in growing jeopardy and health coverage eroding, more and more economic risk is being shifted away from government and business and onto the fragile shoulders of the American family. And no matter how well educated and hard working, many Americans fear that bankruptcy could be just one unexpected lay off or health crisis away.

In , ¹ú²úÊÓƵ Fellow Jacob S. Hacker lays bare the new economic realities facing American families.

The book, to be officially released Oct. 21, is already garnering praise from a variety of critics. Called “deserving of serious debate” by The Wall Street Journal , “an important book for anyone concerned about the continuing vitality of the American dream” by John Edwards, former U.S. Senator, and one that “powerfully illuminates the real scope of the [economic security] problem” by Robert J. Shiller, author of Irrational Exuberance.

This Oct. 18 event featured an overview presentation by Hacker, who provided a taste of the data and anecdotes his book uses to explain the disconnect between robust U.S. economic growth and the sense of financial insecurity felt by a growing percentage of America families. A lively Q&A followed, with ¹ú²úÊÓƵ’s President & CEO Ted Halstead, Vice President Michael Calabrese and Health Policy Program Director Len Nichols also participating.

Video of the event is available at right, while an MP3 audio recording can be downloaded below. A PDF file containing Hacker’s presentation slides is also attached.

Participants

• Jacob S. Hacker
  Fellow, ¹ú²úÊÓƵ Foundation
  Peter Strauss Family Assistant Professor of Political Science, Yale University
  Author, The Great Risk Shift: The Assault on American Jobs, Families, Health Care, and Retirement And How You Can Fight Back
• Michael Calabrese
  Vice President
  ¹ú²úÊÓƵ Foundation
• Len Nichols
  Health Policy Program Director
  ¹ú²úÊÓƵ Foundation
• David Gray
  Work Force and Family Program Director
  ¹ú²úÊÓƵ Foundation

Moderator

• Ted Halstead
  President and CEO
  ¹ú²úÊÓƵ Foundation