I am not Mel Gibson and you, presumably, are not Helen Hunt (Helen, if you do read this, you’re awesome). But the movie starring these two actors – in which Gibson’s character falls, hits his head, and is suddenly able to hear women’s thoughts – is unfortunately reminiscent of a current policy debate. On Wednesday, … Continue reading
The full fury of the press corps has recently been directed towards the Obama administration and their investigations into two leaks – one looking into an AP story on a foiled terrorist plot, and the other, a Fox News story on North Korean nuclear tests. The two Department of Justice probes, while similar in scope, … Continue reading
During the 2008 campaign, then-candidate Obama promised that his administration would be the most open and transparent in American history – in history! Jefferson be damned. He’s repeated that sound bite multiple times, stating that they have instituted rules that, for example, disallow registered lobbyists from working at the White House and make White House … Continue reading
It has been a week of whirlwind, frustrations, and disappointments for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). To better describe it in the words of Senator Max Baucus (D-MO.), “I just see a huge train wreck coming down.” First of all, there has been speculation that lawmakers and Capitol Hill aids could be exempt from entering … Continue reading
Last week, Senator Rand Paul spoke out on behalf of immigration reform. His proposal for reform surprised many, as he usually takes a more conservative stance on social issues. However, it’s apparent that even some of the most conservative factions of the GOP are realizing that it is not a smart move to be on … Continue reading
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
I rarely write about social policy. In terms of public policy I think it generally pales in comparison to the myriad issues we face as a nation. But in thinking about everything on a macro level, you sometimes lose sight of the human component of all policy issues. This morning, Ohio Senator Rob Portman, a … Continue reading
Figure 1. States position on Medicaid Expansion under the ACA. Via: The Advisory Board Company To expand, or not to expand Medicaid, that is the question. Why are some states skeptical about Medicaid expansion and making the assumption that the “plan is [too] costly?” If the states expand their Medicaid program, they would receive federal … Continue reading
The Venezuelan Comandante and President Hugo Chávez died of a heart attack on Tuesday according to his Communication’s Minister Ernesto Villegas. The rumor of his death was already circulating among Venezuelans in Miami, who have been accusing the government of infringing on their country’s sovereignty for taking decisions from Havana. On Tuesday social media sites … Continue reading
What does Medicare or home health services mean to you? Is it even relevant? I’ll tell you why we should care. Not to be the bearer of bad news, but you will eventually grow older and hospital visits will become more frequent. Eventually we will be enrolling in Medicare programs or experiencing at first-hand, various … Continue reading
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