The $1.9 trillion, deficit-spending reconciliation bill is speeding through Congress, auspiciously to provide funding for Covid relief. Republicans have offered bipartisan solutions to craft a targeted bill with more limited taxpayer assistance to address pressing problems. But it appears Speaker Pelosi plans to use her ultra-narrow majority to ram through the bill which … [Read more...] about Protecting Consumer-Friendly Options
A Great American Story
Here’s a great story about two dads and a civic commitment that is helping countless people. It starts last year near Ft. Worth, Texas, where John Bielamowicz and David Baillargeon wanted to help acquire personal protective equipment (PPE) for local hospitals but found woefully few U.S. based suppliers. Limited supplies were forcing healthcare workers and first responders to reuse N95 … [Read more...] about A Great American Story
Individual Health Insurance Markets Improving in States that Fully Permit Short-Term Plans
In an important new paper with original findings, Galen Senior Fellow Brian Blase demonstrates that individual health insurance markets in states can be improved by the choice and competition short-term plans provide. Short-term plans had been severely restricted by the Obama administration—limited to a one-time purchase of 90 days with no renewal. That’s hardly insurance. But new … [Read more...] about Individual Health Insurance Markets Improving in States that Fully Permit Short-Term Plans
“If you like your plan…”
President Biden has issued an avalanche of executive orders since taking office last week with many designed to undo Trump administration actions. This is no way to govern, as The New York Times pointed out in an editorial, "Ease up on the Executive Actions, Joe.” But here we are, and yesterday was Biden’s health reform action day with orders to … [Read more...] about “If you like your plan…”
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
Beginning Again
And now we begin a new chapter in our decades-long endeavor to fight for health freedom. We face many hurdles, but after 25 years of engaging in the health policy debate, we are ready to face these challenges and seek new opportunities to advance patient-centered reform. The Biden administration will push an agenda that further expands the role of government in … [Read more...] about Beginning Again
The Dreaded Masks
President-elect Joe Biden proposed a massive $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief package in a speech last night, urging Congress to quickly approve $1,400 per-person direct payments and funding for testing and vaccine distribution. With ultra-narrow Democratic margins in both the House and Senate, whether such a huge expenditure is needed hopefully will at least be debated at a time when … [Read more...] about The Dreaded Masks
A dreadful beginning
2020 was awful, and we rang in 2021 with hopes we would put the pandemic, riots, and economic shock behind us. Who thought 2021 could be worse! Like many of you, I am in despair over this week’s calamities. We will soon turn to sorting through the policy consequences to try to chart a positive path forward, but in the meantime, I want to share with you a few … [Read more...] about A dreadful beginning