Bob Helms, the dean of our health policy community who was a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, died yesterday at Holy Cross hospital in nearby Maryland, leaving behind a wealth of important work and a legacy of intellect and decency. He was one of the seven founding members of the Health Policy Consensus Group, sitting for many hours around a conference table in the days of … [Read more...] about Losing a Leader 
Be Undaunted
It’s been more than a month since Congress passed the horrifically bad Inflation “Reduction” Act, and we are still licking our wounds about the defeat. This law is purely political and is terrible policy—both in its severe threats to pharmaceutical innovation and in further expansion of government health programs that will leave people with worse coverage and taxpayers with a bigger … [Read more...] about Be Undaunted
A New Commitment
House Republican Members of Congress have been working since early last year on their “Commitment to America” recommendations to strengthen the economy, keep us safe, advance freedom, and make government accountable. The proposals are being released this morning at an event in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, with Leader Kevin McCarthy and other House leaders. This is an important effort to … [Read more...] about A New Commitment
Making It Worse
Health insurance premiums are expected to soar next year, driven both by higher costs across the economy but also by government fueling the fires with massive new subsidies. The Wall Street Journal reports that “Requested rate increases for the small group market in Florida range from about 4% to almost 12%. In New York, insurers are requesting rate increases for plans that range … [Read more...] about Making It Worse
Why “TRICARE for All” is a bad idea
Some are proposing a plan that would put all 330 million Americans on TRICARE—the DOD’s health program serving 9.6 million active duty and retired service members, National Guard, and family members and survivors. TRICARE is designed to serve this specific population that already is experiencing access issues. Heroes shouldn’t have to compete with millions of others to get the care they need. … [Read more...] about Why “TRICARE for All” is a bad idea
The Quintessential Queen
With so much turmoil in the U.S., it is heartening to see the near universal appreciation for “Elizabeth the Good” after more than 70 years of “restraint, duty, grace, reticence, persistence.” RealClearPolitics’ Carl Cannon quotes a tweet noting that: “If you're starting a new job today and intend to match Queen Elizabeth’s work longevity, you'll have to keep working there … [Read more...] about The Quintessential Queen
Marching toward Socialism
Step by step, for nearly 70 years, liberals have been marching the United States toward government-controlled health care, and the Schumer-Manchin bill is another giant stride. COVID provided the opening for Congress to enhance and expand Obamacare subsidies for two years, and the bill the House will begin considering this morning would extend them for three more years. So much for a temporary … [Read more...] about Marching toward Socialism
Gangster Negotiations
So just to review, the big government tax-and-spending bill—called the “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022”—which is on the brink of passing the Senate would: Fuel inflation and increase taxes during a recession; Add $728 billion in federal spending—about a billion a page for the bill; Beef up the IRS with tens of thousands of new agents going after American taxpayers; Decimate research into … [Read more...] about Gangster Negotiations