Joe Biden rejected calls from other Democrats to back a single-payer, government-run health care system, instead saying his plan was to expand the Affordable Care Act. President Biden is now proposing to "fix" it—including spending vastly more money on the program, creating a public option (i.e., another government-run health plan), and imposing price controls. Two of the country's leading … [Read more...] about Assessing President Biden’s Obamacare Expansion Proposals
Doug Badger
COVID-19: Why President Biden’s Response Strategy Falls Short
There is a natural tendency for a new Administration to focus on the things it can control. Reshuffling boxes on organizational charts, creating multi-agency working groups, and ordering up studies and reports conveys an aura of competent governance. The risk is that the federal government will waste precious time and energy organizing itself instead of organizing a more effective response to the … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Why President Biden’s Response Strategy Falls Short
Mask Mandates: Do They Work? Are There Better Ways to Control COVID-19 Outbreaks?
President Joe Biden has signed two executive orders mandating that people wear masks. Instead of focusing on masks, which many localities already have, Biden should focus on more effective responses. “Although mask-wearing may reduce transmission rate, it has not prevented cases from spiking either here or abroad. Governments should pursue additional strategies. These include adopting better … [Read more...] about Mask Mandates: Do They Work? Are There Better Ways to Control COVID-19 Outbreaks?
Forget lockdowns: At home self testing can work for COVID-19 containment
The pandemic is again raging in Italy, where strict lockdowns and widespread mask-wearing were once believed to have tamed the coronavirus contagion. It was the first country to impose lockdowns and left them in place longer than most other nations. Its national mask mandate is enforced by military police, with fines recently increased to 1,000 euros per violation. Public … [Read more...] about Forget lockdowns: At home self testing can work for COVID-19 containment
Trump Doesn’t Need Price Controls to Lower Prescription Drug Costs
By making full use of his executive authority, President Donald Trump has helped to reduce health care costs by increasing choice and competition. But his recent executive order to base Medicare drug prices on rates set by foreign governments is a misstep. Instead of importing price controls, the Trump administration should pursue bipartisan Medicare reforms that would cap seniors’ … [Read more...] about Trump Doesn’t Need Price Controls to Lower Prescription Drug Costs
COVID-19: Still a New York Story
Comparing New York’s record to recent case surges in Florida, Arizona, texas, or California is misleading and overlooks stark differences among the states. While New York City was largely locked down until late July, its population-ad- justed death rate remains far worse than any other place in the nation. Officials should provide the public with accurate information about their risk instead … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Still a New York Story
Why is the CDC fighting today’s coronavirus with yesterday’s technology?
by Joel White and Doug Badger | When the levees broke under Hurricane Katrina, the Army Corps of Engineers was roasted for spending billions and still failing to protect Americans. So where's the outrage over the latest epic governmental fail — this one by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? The federal agency with primary responsibility for handling infectious diseases, the … [Read more...] about Why is the CDC fighting today’s coronavirus with yesterday’s technology?
The Value Of Short-Term Health Plans: Rebutting The Energy And Commerce Democratic Staff Report
by Brian Blase and Doug Badger - Health Affairs | Although a Trump administration rule expanding Americans’ ability to benefit from short-term limited-duration insurance plans (short-term plans) was recently upheld by the District of Columbia appeals court, these plans are unpopular with many members of Congress. As such, there is a threat that the millions of people with these plans may no longer … [Read more...] about The Value Of Short-Term Health Plans: Rebutting The Energy And Commerce Democratic Staff Report