The State of Opportunity in America is Wavering

In 2006, The Opportunity Agenda produced a signature report on the state of opportunity in America.  Among the noteworthy findings:

  • The number of uninsured Americans—more than 45 million in the most recent U.S. Census estimate—had reached a record high. Immigrants, minorities, and low-income families were more likely to be uninsured than their counterparts. Most of the uninsured were in working families, and all were at greater risk of health problems and financial ruin.
  • Wage inequality was greater in 2006 than three decades ago. Wages increased less than one percent in adjusted dollars between 1979 and 2003 for those in the bottom tenth of wage earners, but increased by 27 percent among the top wage-earning decile during the same period. White men enjoyed the greatest income growth over the last three decades, while an increasing share of Hispanic men earned poverty-level and near-poverty-level wages.
  • The gender wage gap had narrowed over the past three decades, but women still earn 81 cents for every dollar that men earn. In addition, women with higher levels of education faced a larger wage gap relative to comparably-educated men than that of less-educated women.
  • Although a growing share of Americans owns their home, rates of homeownership among most racial and ethnic minorities lagged far behind that of whites. And homeownership declined over the last thirty-five years for those in the lowest income quartile, in contrast to the modest increases seen among higher income groups. Barriers to opportunity for homeownership were exacerbated by persistent discrimination in mortgage lending and home sales.
  • Following at least three decades of increases, concentrated poverty has declined since the 1990s. But poor female-headed and minority households were increasingly more likely than poor white households to live in neighborhoods with high levels of poverty.

This report assessed the nation’s progress toward protecting and expanding opportunity for all Americans.  Drawing on a broad range of research, we found that opportunity was at risk for all Americans. For example, as a growing number of businesses reduce or eliminate health care benefits, more and more U.S. workers faced serious health and financial risks. And high rates of uninsurance had broad effects on health care costs and access, even for the insured.  Moreover, some groups of Americans faced multiple barriers to opportunity. For example, people who live in high-poverty, predominantly minority communities were more likely to face poorly funded schools, inadequate public transportation to jobs, environmental hazards, high crime rates, and a lack of representation on the public airwaves and in government. These obstacles build on one another and compound over time, combining to erode opportunity.

But through bold leadership and innovative policies, the nation’s elected leaders can ensure the promise of opportunity in America. This report encouraged our policymakers to

  • Regularly assess the impact of public policies on opportunity;
  • Modernize safety-net programs that help people meet their basic needs, starting with equitable and affordable health care for all Americans;
  • Build Americans’ skills to adapt to a globalizing economy, evolving technology, and an increasingly diverse population;
  • Renew a commitment to human rights in the United States;
  • Prioritize crime prevention and rehabilitation over increased incarceration; and
  • Protect voting rights and promote political participation.