Understanding Universal Basic Income
Economy / Labor Force / Social Insurance Programs / U.S. Domestic Policy

Understanding Universal Basic Income

Introduction In December 2018, Finland’s Social Insurance Institution, KELA, terminated their two-year Universal Basic Income (UBI) experiment that aimed to “increase employment and simplify the Social Security system” citing insignificant changes in the employment rate of participants. Despite this outcome, prominent U.S. figures–such as Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg– and the California Democratic Party still … Continue reading

Part 2: Combatting Maternal Mortality
Healthcare

Part 2: Combatting Maternal Mortality

Physiological Factors:   According to a report from nine Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs), 60 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. The reason for these unnecessary deaths and the overall rise in maternal mortality cannot be definitively understood, specifically due to the overall lack of explicit and conclusive data. From a medical standpoint, common causes … Continue reading

Surprise…Out-of-Network Billing
Healthcare

Surprise…Out-of-Network Billing

INTRODUCTION According to a 2018 Amerispeak survey, 57 percent of participants received a “surprise” medical bill that they expected their insurance would pay. The results of this survey mirror a larger trend across the US populous: surprise medical billing is an all-too-prevalent phenomenon. These unanticipated costs often occur as a result of out-of-network charges. When … Continue reading

A Call for Social Determinants
Healthcare / Medicare / Politics

A Call for Social Determinants

It is common knowledge that the United States spends substantially more money on health care than other developed nations, yet it is by no means the healthiest country. Health care accounts for one-sixth of United States’ gross domestic product (GDP), but morbidity continues to rise. Two out of three American adults are obese, one-third of American adults have high blood pressure, and diabetes prevalence is … Continue reading

Cabell County and More: Addressing the Opioid Epidemic
America / Culture / Healthcare / Politics

Cabell County and More: Addressing the Opioid Epidemic

Rates of opioid addiction in the United States have continued to increase leading to the destruction of families, a decline in labor participation, and rising healthcare costs. Out of all the drug overdose deaths in 2015, 63.1% involved an opioid. This problem has been appropriately called an epidemic and its consequences and widespread effect have … Continue reading

VBP Has the Chance to Become the MVP
America / Economy / Healthcare / Medicaid / Medicare / U.S. Domestic Policy

VBP Has the Chance to Become the MVP

America has a drug problem that goes well beyond opiates and abuse. Pharmaceutical drug prices have skyrocketed in the last decade and fueled an overall increase in health care costs and spending[1]. The top ten most prescribed medications have all risen more than 50% since 2011, with four out of ten having doubled in cost. … Continue reading