What won't happen with Build Back Better likely dead

By Michael Collins and
Joey Garrison

Sen. Joe Manchin announced earlier this week that he won’t support President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion social spending package could doom a series of initiatives that would benefit millions of Americans. Here's what would be lost if the deal falls through.

Prekindergarten

One of the signature components of the bill is $109 billion to fund free preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds. The money would benefit as many as 6 million children and would flow to established programs, such as Head Start.

Subsidized child care

The bill includes nearly $276 billion over six years for child care for parents with kids up to 5 years old. The measure would cap child care expenses at 7% of a family's income for low- and moderate-income households.

Medicare expansion

Medicare would cover hearing benefits under a $35 billion proposal. The White House said only 30% of seniors over the age of 70 who could benefit from hearing aids have ever used them, so this extra coverage could help millions
of older Americans.

Prescription drug pricing

In an effort to lower the cost of prescription medication, the measure would allow the government to negotiate prescription drug prices offered through Medicare and set up safeguards aimed at protecting workers and businesses from price-gouging.

Health care subsidies for low-income Americans

If Build Back Better were to become law, about 9 million Americans would see their health care premiums reduced under the Affordable Care Act by an average of $600 per year.

Paid family and
medical leave

Workers would get up to four weeks of paid family medical leave under Build Back Better. Under the law, eligible workers can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave.

To read more about Biden's Build Back Better bill, visit USATODAY.com