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

ACA Made Easy: Individual Shared Responsibility
Affordable Care Act / Healthcare / Social Insurance Programs

ACA Made Easy: Individual Shared Responsibility

Since the Individual Mandate statute of the Affordable Care Act was enacted in January 2014, every American is accountable for an Individual Shared Responsibility* payment every year. Meaning, if you do not have health insurance, you will face penalties. While you may not see an actual summons, or pay a fine, the federal government enforces … Continue reading

How Vermont’s Single Payer Proposal Can Backfire
Affordable Care Act / America / Healthcare / Social Insurance Programs

How Vermont’s Single Payer Proposal Can Backfire

American health care reform is a three-headed beast. Attempts at reform typically seek to resolve issues regarding access, quality care, and cost control. The ACA, one of the largest overhauls of American healthcare is aimed at improving access—but the problem becomes what good is increasing access to expensive and low quality care? Vermont’s leaders have … Continue reading

Important Implications of the Aging Population in the U.S. Workforce
Medicare / Social Insurance Programs / Social Security

Important Implications of the Aging Population in the U.S. Workforce

The recent debates on retirement policy are anything but productive. The main points revolve around the rising debt and health care costs, as well as increasing the retirement age. While these concerns are important, retirement policy in the United States (and in the world) needs another look. More and more people are living to the … Continue reading

America / Healthcare / healthcare premiums / Medicare / Politics / Social Insurance Programs / Social Security

Social Insurance Programs: Young American’s “Opinions”

In early February, the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) hosted their 25th annual policy research conference on “Medicare and Social Security in a Time of Budget Austerity.” It was a two-day event and I gladly participated in one of their several sessions on a Friday afternoon. The session that I chose to attend was … Continue reading