The Great Risk Shift
The Assault on American Jobs, Families, Health Care and Retirement
Event
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 The Great Risk Shift: The Assault on American Jobs, Families, Health Care, and Retirement And How You Can Fight Back, New America 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 New America'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.
Location
Participants
- Jacob S. Hacker
Fellow, New America 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
New America Foundation - Len Nichols
Health Policy Program Director
New America Foundation - David Gray
Work Force and Family Program Director
New America Foundation
Moderator
- Ted Halstead
President and CEO
New America Foundation