At CEPR, Emma focused on uncovering the role of private equity in health care (hospice, home care, hospitals), the privatization of Medicare, and the broader harms of financialization in the economy. She also supports the entire research staff with their projects. In previous work, Emma has explored the role of teacher unions in anti-racism work and the relationship between access to federal childcare subsidy programs and state eligibility policies. She has also conducted corporate strategic research for a local restaurant worker center and has experience organizing with labor unions and worker centers in the Twin Cities. Emma holds a BA in political science with a minor in economics from Macalester College.
All from Emma Curchin
The High Cost of Living: What Working Families Pay For Health Care
The combination of rising costs and cost-shifting has left a large share of working families burdened with high levels of expenses: The typical working family spent $3,960 per year on health care.
White House Proposes Rule to Deny Rights to Caregivers
A new Trump proposal would diminish the rights of up to 3.7 million caregivers, personal care aides, and home health aides.
Cuts to Medicare Prescription Drug Assistance Will Cost Lives
The GOP’s proposed Medicaid cuts would end Medicare Part D Extra Help for millions of low-income seniors, jeopardizing access to vital medications and potentially causing thousands of preventable deaths.
Workers Most Likely to Lose Medicaid Can’t Rely on Employer-Based Coverage
Senator Lankford claims Medicaid cuts will shift recipients to employer-based coverage, but in reality, millions of low-wage workers—especially in industries like restaurants and construction where such benefits are rare—are likely to lose health insurance altogether.
Factsheet: Key Industries that Rely Heavily on Medicaid to Provide their Workers with Health Insurance
Profile of Workers with Health Insurance through Medicaid Fact Sheet
Medicaid is –by a large margin– the most important stopgap for workers that don’t have employer-based coverage. Currently, one of every ten workers obtains their health coverage through Medicaid, which is fully one third of all workers that don’t have employer-based health insurance. Explore more in our Profile of Workers with Health Insurance through Medicaid Fact Sheet.
Medicaid by State Factsheet 2025
Medicaid by State Factsheet 2025. Source: CEPR analysis of the 2024 Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement. Data refer to Medicaid status as of March 2024.
A Complicated Maze: How Workers Navigate the US Health Care System
Most US workers with health insurance rely on employer-based coverage, but access varies sharply by income, race, and gender, and millions risk losing coverage due to potential cuts to Medicaid expansion and ACA subsidies.
Millionaires Day: How the Wealthy Shortchange Social Security
It’s only early March, but millionaires are already done with their contribution to Social Security for the year.
The Phony Argument Behind Medicaid Work Requirements
Examine the flawed reasoning of Medicaids phony work requirement argument as Republicans push for budget cuts to healthcare.
Union Density Continues to Decline
Explore the decline in union density in the US. Despite high public approval ratings, union membership rates have reached record lows.
Chronic Condition: Working Without Health Insurance
Exploring the current landscape of health insurance in the US. Find out how many Americans still lack coverage and the effects of the Affordable Care Act.
Medicare “Advantage” By the Numbers
Examining the hidden side of Medicare Advantage: uncover how private insurance companies are profiting at the expense of seniors.
Before and After the Pandemic: Income Volatility, Health Care Affordability, and Debt
Exploring the impact of income volatility: delve into the reasons behind fluctuating incomes and their consequences on households.
34 Million Seniors in Medicare Advantage Plans Face Rude Awakening
Medicare Advantage turmoil: insurers dropping plans, cutting benefits, and raising rates for beneficiaries. Find out more.
The Implications of Rate Hikes and Coal Power Domination for West Virginia Household Budgets
Explore the impact of rate hikes in West Virginia’s residential electricity market and the domination of coal power.
Structural Determinants of Health: Hospitals’ Unequal Capital Investments Drive Health Inequities
Discover how the structural determinants of health inequity in the US can lead to disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.
CEPR Comments to FTC, DOJ, HHS on Consolidation in Health Care Markets
Explore the impact of private equity in healthcare. Learn about the influence of Wall Street on the healthcare industry and its implications.
States of the Unions: The ‘Where’ of the US Labor Movement
Exploring the landscape of union membership in the US. Uncover the overall rates and geographic variations in different parts of the country.
Millionaires Stop Contributing to Social Security on March 2, 2024
Just two months into 2024, millionaires are about to stop contributing to Social Security for the rest of the year.