Amid the avalanche of news this week, the Supreme Court lit up the hottest issue in the 2020 campaign when it announced it will hear a third challenge to the Affordable Care Act. After Congress voted to zero out the individual mandate’s tax penalty in 2017, 20 states moved to challenge the law on the basis that the mandate no longer is a tax—undoing the key argument that Chief Justice … [Read more...] about Health Reform Must Energize State Engagement
Preparedness
While government officials should be focused only on containing the coronavirus outbreak, Americans fears unfortunately are being fueled by political posturing. Key officials throughout the government have been working 24/7 for more than a month on virus containment and protection. Yet Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the administration’s response “too late” and “anemic.” And we … [Read more...] about Preparedness
The “De-Growth” Movement
Economic growth has lifted billions of people across the globe out of poverty, giving countless millions a path to prosperity. The impact is truly immeasurable in the innovation, productivity, and human well-being it produces. But along comes an article in The New Yorker explaining that some on the Left want to stop all that. They are “giving birth to the … [Read more...] about The “De-Growth” Movement
Reform the Federal-State Medicaid Partnership to Better Help Those in Need and Save Money
President Donald Trump’s budget includes Medicaid reforms that would restore accountability and improve the federal-state partnership. Predictably, the left is on the attack, contending that these “cuts” would harm the poor and vulnerable. In fact, the president’s proposals would reduce improper federal spending, which now exceeds $75 billion annually, preserve public resources … [Read more...] about Reform the Federal-State Medicaid Partnership to Better Help Those in Need and Save Money
A Better Solution to Surprise Medical Billing
Congress is right to be concerned about the issue of surprise medical billing. It’s unfair to patients who play by the rules, go to their insurer’s in-network facility for care, and months later receive a bill from an out-of-network provider, sometimes costing patients thousands of dollars in unexpected medical bills. Surprise bills are especially unfair to patients in emergency … [Read more...] about A Better Solution to Surprise Medical Billing
New Options For States
Before joining the Trump Administration, Medicare and Medicaid administrator Seema Verma spent years battling the federal bureaucracy on behalf of states that were pleading for more flexibility in running their Medicaid programs. Yesterday in Washington, she announced a new program to give states greater flexibility in providing coverage to one segment of the Medicaid population—working-age, … [Read more...] about New Options For States
On Surprise Medical Bills, Congress Should Side With Consumers, Not Special Interests
If you’re wondering why Congress still hasn’t protected consumers from surprise medical bills, ask Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas. “It’s troubling that it’s taking this long,” Doggett, a senior member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, recently told Politico. “But this can’t be something that is 100 percent for the provider or 100 percent for the insurer. … [Read more...] about On Surprise Medical Bills, Congress Should Side With Consumers, Not Special Interests
Affirming and Celebrating Life
Many thousands of people gathered on the National Mall today for the 47th annual March for Life, joined—for the first time—by a sitting president. President Trump praised the “strong women, amazing faith leaders,” and tens of thousands of young people he called “the heart of the March for Life. It is your generation that is making America a pro-family, pro-life … [Read more...] about Affirming and Celebrating Life