The more-contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus led the CDC to issue a directive yesterday that both vaccinated and unvaccinated people should wear masks indoors in higher-contagion areas. It’s not going over well. The first reaction was on Capitol Hill where the Capitol Police posted a statement saying visitors and staff members must mask up. “Any person who … [Read more...] about What? Not again!
Unmasking Washington’s Role In COVID
Was America’s federalist system of government an asset or liability during the COVID-19 pandemic? Doug Badger and Bob Moffit conclude, based upon ample evidence, that it was a benefit that “fostered policy innovation, enabled state officials to avoid misguided measures,” and resulted in better economic outcomes. In their new Heritage paper, “Health Care Reform COVID-19 … [Read more...] about Unmasking Washington’s Role In COVID
Shouting in the Senate
One of the vitally important jobs of public health experts is to locate the source of disease impacting public health to contain the spread and guard against future outbreaks. Recall the famous story of physician John Snow who isolated the source of a serious cholera outbreak in London in 1854 to a single contaminated town well, the Broad Street pump, and convinced local … [Read more...] about Shouting in the Senate
Examining The Affordable Care Act’s Effect On Coverage
A recent report released by the Department of Health and Human Services claims that 31 million Americans were enrolled in coverage related to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Without proper context, this number is misleading and is being misinterpreted. Here is what you need to know: There has been virtually no change in private health insurance coverage because of the … [Read more...] about Examining The Affordable Care Act’s Effect On Coverage
Collaborating is Central to Success
Regardless of political ideology, most Americans share a common goal to further the common good by assuring that no one is left behind in accessing quality healthcare. There are, however, divergent approaches to achieve this goal: Some argue that: Only government can be relied on to make sure healthcare is delivered fairly and equitably;Healthcare decisions are too complex for patients … [Read more...] about Collaborating is Central to Success
Biden Seeks To Build On Many Of Trump’s Health Care Policies
On July 9, 2021, President Biden signed an executive order designed to promote competition throughout the American economy. Most of the Biden administration’s health-related proposals in this order either build on policies implemented by the Trump administration or are consistent with Trump administration direction. Republicans should work to support many of the reforms, particularly … [Read more...] about Biden Seeks To Build On Many Of Trump’s Health Care Policies
What? Bipartisan Agreement on Health Reform?
It’s refreshing to be able to write about positive, bipartisan developments in health policy. In a new paper, Galen Senior Fellow Brian Blase explains that Biden Seeks To Build On Many Of Trump’s Health Care Policies via a new executive order issued on Friday. Brian was, of course, President Trump’s senior health policy adviser in the White House from 2017-2019 and launched a number … [Read more...] about What? Bipartisan Agreement on Health Reform?
Ideas that work
I’m so tired of hearing that conservatives/Republicans have no plan for health reform. The narrative has persisted since Congress failed—by one vote—to get repeal-and-replace legislation over the finish line in 2017. There are lots of reasons why that happened, but it’s more productive to look instead at plans now and for the future. You know, of course, about the work of the Health Policy … [Read more...] about Ideas that work