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
Here’s a novel idea: Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin proposes an idea to enforce the use of real names and identity of Facebook users in order to provide accurate health related information to the right person. Health information technology is an idea that has been discussed in the past, but more so now because of the buzz of … Continue reading
What are your thoughts about a federal tax on sugary drinks (ie. Soda, energy, and sports drinks)? The Field Poll, a non-partisan media-sponsored public opinion news service, found an interesting result in their survey of Californians’ views on the tax on sugary drinks. Approximately 40 percent of California residents voted in support of a soda … Continue reading
Since the financial crisis of 2008, discussion of the role big banks play in the American economy and the inherent risk they represent has faded into the periphery. As with many other areas of public policy, a sustained focus beyond a time of crisis is difficult, due mainly to the relative lack of political will. … Continue reading
Earlier last week, the American Action Forum released a survey analyzing the cost of individual premiums due to the ACA. The survey looks at the spectrum of rate changes across any geographic area rather than the average changes. The results are shocking and they paint a poor future outlook for the young and healthy individuals. … Continue reading
By Andy Garcia The last time the United States had an immigration reform was back in 1990 when Congress passed a law allowing as many as 700,000 new immigrants annually. But the most well known immigration reform of the last few decades was the Simpson-Mazzoli Act of 1986. Simpson- Mazzoli was signed into law by … Continue reading
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