Nation's poor at 49.7M, higher than official rate

[Redfairen]

Source: Associated Press

The government says there are about 3 million more poor people in the United States than its official count shows.

The Census Bureau's official rate that came out in September showed that a record 46.5 million people were in poverty last year.

But the bureau also has an alternative measure of poverty that factors in everyday costs, such as out-of-pocket medical expenses, that haven't been calculated as part of the official rate.

The alternative measure is intended to provide a more complete picture of poverty. It shows that 49.7 million people were in poverty last year.



Read more: http://m.detnews.com/updates/article?a=2013311060072&f=1208

[851-977]

1. So every year these two measures are different?

Why is it news this year? Were the two measures the same in 2012, and 2011, and 2010, etc.?

[uppityperson]

2. What?