Callie Freitag (she/her)
@calliefreitag.bsky.social
Mixing methods and metaphors. Assistant Professor of Social Work at UW-Madison. Scholar of policies relating to aging, disability, and poverty. Views = own.
Pinned
Statement from the Musk-appointed head of SSA celebrating the deletion of research grants studying the financial security of the older adults and the disabled. Just one way that the richest man in the world is dictating societal priorities.
www.ssa.gov/news/press/r...
www.ssa.gov/news/press/r...
I am feeling rage and grief over the federal administration's proud "slashing" of these research agreements that have cut hundreds of projects aimed at understanding how $1.5 trillion of annual SSA spending affects everyday older & disabled folks.
To save...*checks notes*
$15 million.
To save...*checks notes*
$15 million.
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
Social workers (and friends) attending @appam.bsky.social
in Seattle: we will meet for our annual happy hour on Friday night from 5-7 at Kells' Bar. Be in touch if you need details and share with your students/new colleagues. Looking forward! @arpilarz.bsky.social @calliefreitag.bsky.social
in Seattle: we will meet for our annual happy hour on Friday night from 5-7 at Kells' Bar. Be in touch if you need details and share with your students/new colleagues. Looking forward! @arpilarz.bsky.social @calliefreitag.bsky.social
November 2, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Social workers (and friends) attending @appam.bsky.social
in Seattle: we will meet for our annual happy hour on Friday night from 5-7 at Kells' Bar. Be in touch if you need details and share with your students/new colleagues. Looking forward! @arpilarz.bsky.social @calliefreitag.bsky.social
in Seattle: we will meet for our annual happy hour on Friday night from 5-7 at Kells' Bar. Be in touch if you need details and share with your students/new colleagues. Looking forward! @arpilarz.bsky.social @calliefreitag.bsky.social
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
This is what happens when people who hate the government run the government. There is a tremendous incentive for them to do a bad job and hurt people so that people believe the public sector is incapable of providing a basic standard of living for everyone.
October 28, 2025 at 11:31 AM
This is what happens when people who hate the government run the government. There is a tremendous incentive for them to do a bad job and hurt people so that people believe the public sector is incapable of providing a basic standard of living for everyone.
My job market paper is PUBLISHED! I'm so happy I could cry. I'll theoretically do a more detailed thread with findings later, but for now, here you go!
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/epdf/10....
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/epdf/10....
August 21, 2025 at 9:48 PM
My job market paper is PUBLISHED! I'm so happy I could cry. I'll theoretically do a more detailed thread with findings later, but for now, here you go!
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/epdf/10....
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/epdf/10....
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
This is so important. The focus on job numbers ignores the fact that the BLS computes inflation (the CPI) which is directly linked to many government and non-government benefits. Any attempt at politicizing inflation numbers is very, very, very bad…
Looming problems from BLS statistics politicization. Social security benefits and many long term labor market contracts are indexed to the CPI. BLS makes the CPI. Recipients care about indexed cost of living increases, a lot.
/1
/1
August 5, 2025 at 1:35 PM
This is so important. The focus on job numbers ignores the fact that the BLS computes inflation (the CPI) which is directly linked to many government and non-government benefits. Any attempt at politicizing inflation numbers is very, very, very bad…
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
What do the other 35% of people think is going to happen to them?
65% of Medicaid beneficiaries say the new tax and spending law will hurt them.
From our latest tracking poll:
From our latest tracking poll:
KFF Health Tracking Poll: Public Views on Recent Tax and Budget Legislation | KFF
KFF's Health Tracking Poll looks at awareness and perceived impact of the tax and budget law signed by Trump in July 2025. Nearly half of the public says that they expect the new law to generally hurt...
on.kff.org
July 24, 2025 at 3:07 PM
What do the other 35% of people think is going to happen to them?
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
A core problem in American health is inequality. The richest 1% live 12 more years than the poorest 1%. Racial disparities cause Black Americans to die 4 years sooner than White Americans.
Now remember: Trump's policies which will *worsen* inequality.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/how-trumps...
Now remember: Trump's policies which will *worsen* inequality.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/how-trumps...
July 21, 2025 at 3:03 PM
A core problem in American health is inequality. The richest 1% live 12 more years than the poorest 1%. Racial disparities cause Black Americans to die 4 years sooner than White Americans.
Now remember: Trump's policies which will *worsen* inequality.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/how-trumps...
Now remember: Trump's policies which will *worsen* inequality.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/how-trumps...
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
If you had a sense that kicking people off of Medicaid would be bad for their health, that is only scratching the surface of how bad Trump's policies will be for public health in America.
@jbarofsky.bsky.social & @pamherd.bsky.social do a deep dive. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/how-trumps...
@jbarofsky.bsky.social & @pamherd.bsky.social do a deep dive. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/how-trumps...
How Trump’s Big Bad Bill Will Kill Americans
What research tells us about how Trump policies are bad for your health
donmoynihan.substack.com
July 21, 2025 at 2:37 PM
If you had a sense that kicking people off of Medicaid would be bad for their health, that is only scratching the surface of how bad Trump's policies will be for public health in America.
@jbarofsky.bsky.social & @pamherd.bsky.social do a deep dive. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/how-trumps...
@jbarofsky.bsky.social & @pamherd.bsky.social do a deep dive. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/how-trumps...
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
I learned today that researchers estimated that these rules, when implemented, would save 13,000 lives a year.
But under Trump's bill, they're blocked until 2034.
So that's 13,000 unnecessary deaths each year as a direct policy choice. Plus all the daily indignities that understaffing inflicts.
But under Trump's bill, they're blocked until 2034.
So that's 13,000 unnecessary deaths each year as a direct policy choice. Plus all the daily indignities that understaffing inflicts.
July 21, 2025 at 3:17 PM
I learned today that researchers estimated that these rules, when implemented, would save 13,000 lives a year.
But under Trump's bill, they're blocked until 2034.
So that's 13,000 unnecessary deaths each year as a direct policy choice. Plus all the daily indignities that understaffing inflicts.
But under Trump's bill, they're blocked until 2034.
So that's 13,000 unnecessary deaths each year as a direct policy choice. Plus all the daily indignities that understaffing inflicts.
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
Final vote. 50-50. VP breaks the tie.
One single GOP Senator could have stopped this abomination. Saved millions of parents from watching their child go hungry. Saved the lives destroyed when Medicaid disappears.
They will all live forever with the horror of this bill.
One single GOP Senator could have stopped this abomination. Saved millions of parents from watching their child go hungry. Saved the lives destroyed when Medicaid disappears.
They will all live forever with the horror of this bill.
July 1, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Final vote. 50-50. VP breaks the tie.
One single GOP Senator could have stopped this abomination. Saved millions of parents from watching their child go hungry. Saved the lives destroyed when Medicaid disappears.
They will all live forever with the horror of this bill.
One single GOP Senator could have stopped this abomination. Saved millions of parents from watching their child go hungry. Saved the lives destroyed when Medicaid disappears.
They will all live forever with the horror of this bill.
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
I spent the first 8 years of my career trying to convince elected officials to care about children. I wish I could tell you it was an easy sell. It wasn't.
It's hard to imagine US public policy being even LESS pro-kids than it already is, but OBBB truly will make things worse.
shorturl.at/77c0m
It's hard to imagine US public policy being even LESS pro-kids than it already is, but OBBB truly will make things worse.
shorturl.at/77c0m
What children in poverty could lose from the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Republicans want to change or reduce key social safety net programs that provide health care, food benefits and financial assistance for millions of children.
shorturl.at
July 1, 2025 at 5:09 PM
I spent the first 8 years of my career trying to convince elected officials to care about children. I wish I could tell you it was an easy sell. It wasn't.
It's hard to imagine US public policy being even LESS pro-kids than it already is, but OBBB truly will make things worse.
shorturl.at/77c0m
It's hard to imagine US public policy being even LESS pro-kids than it already is, but OBBB truly will make things worse.
shorturl.at/77c0m
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
Trump promised not to touch Medicare—but that’s exactly what this “big beautiful bill” will do, to the tune of $535 billion in cuts. CAP’s Don Berwick explains the harm:
You Thought Medicare Was Safe? Think Again.
Sequestration threatens more than $530 billion in cuts to the program over nine years. The results will be catastrophic.
contrarian.substack.com
July 1, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Trump promised not to touch Medicare—but that’s exactly what this “big beautiful bill” will do, to the tune of $535 billion in cuts. CAP’s Don Berwick explains the harm:
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
New from me at @motherjones.com: the Senate just voted to take $930 billion from Medicaid, which could greatly impact optional Medicaid expansion and also lead to cuts of "optional" Medicaid benefits...which keep people functional. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Senate votes to cut $930 billion from Medicaid
"This bill is about caviar over kids and hedge funds over health care."
www.motherjones.com
July 1, 2025 at 5:02 PM
New from me at @motherjones.com: the Senate just voted to take $930 billion from Medicaid, which could greatly impact optional Medicaid expansion and also lead to cuts of "optional" Medicaid benefits...which keep people functional. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
We used monthly survey data to take a closer look at the potential implications of #Medicaid work requirements for adults without dependent children. Adults ages 50-64 are at greater risk of losing Medicaid coverage for not meeting the new requirements. www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
June 26, 2025 at 10:30 PM
We used monthly survey data to take a closer look at the potential implications of #Medicaid work requirements for adults without dependent children. Adults ages 50-64 are at greater risk of losing Medicaid coverage for not meeting the new requirements. www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
They’re USAIDing NSF
NEW: NSF will be kicked out of their building. Announcement will be made tomorrow by HUD Sec. and Governor of VA. HUD will take over the NSF building over the next two years.
NSF staffer: "There is no planning for NSF, no identified future location, appropriation for a new building or a move."
NSF staffer: "There is no planning for NSF, no identified future location, appropriation for a new building or a move."
June 25, 2025 at 12:03 AM
They’re USAIDing NSF
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
Can you believe the NYT best movies thing does not have Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar as an option 🤯
June 25, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Can you believe the NYT best movies thing does not have Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar as an option 🤯
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
I said what I said:
"The Trump Admin has undertaken a radical restructuring [of Social Security &] claim it won’t cause damage [to] customer service. If they really believe they can serve a growing customer base w/fewer staff, they should put up or shut up."
www.marketwatch.com/story/how-lo...
"The Trump Admin has undertaken a radical restructuring [of Social Security &] claim it won’t cause damage [to] customer service. If they really believe they can serve a growing customer base w/fewer staff, they should put up or shut up."
www.marketwatch.com/story/how-lo...
How long is the wait for Social Security customer service? No one knows.
The Social Security Administration has stopped publishing key customer-service metrics, which will make it more difficult to track whether performance is improving or eroding over time.
www.marketwatch.com
June 24, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I said what I said:
"The Trump Admin has undertaken a radical restructuring [of Social Security &] claim it won’t cause damage [to] customer service. If they really believe they can serve a growing customer base w/fewer staff, they should put up or shut up."
www.marketwatch.com/story/how-lo...
"The Trump Admin has undertaken a radical restructuring [of Social Security &] claim it won’t cause damage [to] customer service. If they really believe they can serve a growing customer base w/fewer staff, they should put up or shut up."
www.marketwatch.com/story/how-lo...
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
This Republican budget bill is SO bad. What it would do to health care, to education, while enshrining Trump's abuses of power...
It'd legit be the worst legislation since the Patriot Act era.
PLEASE, call your Rep, whoever they are. Use the link to find out who they are. Tell them to vote no.
It'd legit be the worst legislation since the Patriot Act era.
PLEASE, call your Rep, whoever they are. Use the link to find out who they are. Tell them to vote no.
Find Your Representative
Find your representatives. Learn how to find and connect with them. Stay informed about their bills, committees, and contributions.
reps.fyi
May 19, 2025 at 11:24 PM
This Republican budget bill is SO bad. What it would do to health care, to education, while enshrining Trump's abuses of power...
It'd legit be the worst legislation since the Patriot Act era.
PLEASE, call your Rep, whoever they are. Use the link to find out who they are. Tell them to vote no.
It'd legit be the worst legislation since the Patriot Act era.
PLEASE, call your Rep, whoever they are. Use the link to find out who they are. Tell them to vote no.
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
It's silly to act like disabled people will be spared from Medicaid work requirements. Many disabled people are on Medicaid solely because they are poor, not because they're on SSI.
May 19, 2025 at 7:19 PM
It's silly to act like disabled people will be spared from Medicaid work requirements. Many disabled people are on Medicaid solely because they are poor, not because they're on SSI.
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
NEW: Many workers, especially those who work shifts or gigs, have volatile incomes.
ACA #obamacare enrollees with less predictable incomes could face coverage barriers and bigger penalties under the House GOP reconciliation package & other expected policy changes @kff.org www.kff.org/affordable-c...
ACA #obamacare enrollees with less predictable incomes could face coverage barriers and bigger penalties under the House GOP reconciliation package & other expected policy changes @kff.org www.kff.org/affordable-c...
Marketplace Enrollees with Unpredictable Incomes Could Face Bigger Penalties Under House Reconciliation Bill Provision | KFF
This analysis illustrates how provisions included in the House budget reconciliation bill could expose Marketplace enrollees with unpredictable incomes to higher penalties when filing taxes if they un...
www.kff.org
May 20, 2025 at 2:57 AM
NEW: Many workers, especially those who work shifts or gigs, have volatile incomes.
ACA #obamacare enrollees with less predictable incomes could face coverage barriers and bigger penalties under the House GOP reconciliation package & other expected policy changes @kff.org www.kff.org/affordable-c...
ACA #obamacare enrollees with less predictable incomes could face coverage barriers and bigger penalties under the House GOP reconciliation package & other expected policy changes @kff.org www.kff.org/affordable-c...
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
The Worker Protection Act received unanimous support from Colorado's Democratic legislators and was backed by the state's labor movement. On Friday, Gov. Jared Polis vetoed it. My latest with @prospect.org:
prospect.org/labor/2025-0...
prospect.org/labor/2025-0...
The Democrats’ One and Only Union-Busting Governor
Colorado’s Democratic legislature voted to repeal the state’s de facto right-to-work law. On Friday, Gov. Jared Polis vetoed it.
prospect.org
May 19, 2025 at 2:19 PM
The Worker Protection Act received unanimous support from Colorado's Democratic legislators and was backed by the state's labor movement. On Friday, Gov. Jared Polis vetoed it. My latest with @prospect.org:
prospect.org/labor/2025-0...
prospect.org/labor/2025-0...
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
New @centeronbudget.bsky.social analysis of the draft GOP tax plan released yesterday:
Unsurprisingly, it provides enormous tax cuts for the wealthy—including an average annual $65k cut for the top 1%—while doing little for low- and moderate-income families in 2027 (and even less by 2029).
Unsurprisingly, it provides enormous tax cuts for the wealthy—including an average annual $65k cut for the top 1%—while doing little for low- and moderate-income families in 2027 (and even less by 2029).
May 14, 2025 at 12:55 AM
New @centeronbudget.bsky.social analysis of the draft GOP tax plan released yesterday:
Unsurprisingly, it provides enormous tax cuts for the wealthy—including an average annual $65k cut for the top 1%—while doing little for low- and moderate-income families in 2027 (and even less by 2029).
Unsurprisingly, it provides enormous tax cuts for the wealthy—including an average annual $65k cut for the top 1%—while doing little for low- and moderate-income families in 2027 (and even less by 2029).
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
“An emphasis on lifestyle ultimately assigns structural and institutional problems to individual Americans to solve for themselves. In a country where wealth buys health, how many Americans can afford to insulate themselves and their families from risks of disease and disability?”
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Check out my new @newsweek.com op-ed on the nominee for surgeon general!
"Their brand of health care is for people who can choose to be healthy, people with the time and money to pursue health optimization, and people comfortable enough to be fussy over food dyes."
www.newsweek.com/casey-means-...
"Their brand of health care is for people who can choose to be healthy, people with the time and money to pursue health optimization, and people comfortable enough to be fussy over food dyes."
www.newsweek.com/casey-means-...
Casey Means and MAHA Remove the 'Public' From Public Health | Opinion
On Wednesday, Donald Trump nominated Casey Means, a holistic doctor and wellness influencer, to be the next U.S. surgeon general.
www.newsweek.com
May 14, 2025 at 1:12 AM
“An emphasis on lifestyle ultimately assigns structural and institutional problems to individual Americans to solve for themselves. In a country where wealth buys health, how many Americans can afford to insulate themselves and their families from risks of disease and disability?”
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Reposted by Callie Freitag (she/her)
In a functional democracy, a policy which 85% of Americans don’t support would never have a chance of passing.
In the US, our political system is extremely bad at representing popular opinion or translating our preferences into law. It’s just an entirely broken system.
In the US, our political system is extremely bad at representing popular opinion or translating our preferences into law. It’s just an entirely broken system.
There is not a single congressional district in the U.S. where more than 15% of voters support cuts to Medicaid.
May 13, 2025 at 5:40 PM
In a functional democracy, a policy which 85% of Americans don’t support would never have a chance of passing.
In the US, our political system is extremely bad at representing popular opinion or translating our preferences into law. It’s just an entirely broken system.
In the US, our political system is extremely bad at representing popular opinion or translating our preferences into law. It’s just an entirely broken system.