Commentary
Commentary
Despite Obamacare, healthcare spending is spiraling out of control
Former President Barack Obama promised the Affordable Care Act would bend “the cost curve and [start] to reduce costs for families, businesses, and government.” But his pledge has gone unfulfilled – patients and taxpayers are spending record amounts on healthcare. This year, total healthcare spending will increase 5.3 percent, according ...
Business & Economics
The Opportunity Created by California’s Overly-Generous Public Pensions
Americans are facing two very different pension outlooks. Most private sector workers contribute to 401(k) plans (which are often matched by employers), and rely on investments, savings, and Social Security for their retirement. But, their savings is inadequate. According to a 2018 survey by Northwestern Mutual, 33 percent of Baby Boomers ...
California
Would Prop. 10 Reduce California’s High Housing Costs? Basic Economics Says No.
Californians will be faced with a dozen voter propositions on Election Day. None is more important than Proposition 10, which would allow local governments to enact rent control laws. The outcome will have a profound effect on California’s housing crisis. Prop 10 would repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of ...
Business & Economics
CAFE Standards versus Public Opinion
Calls for stricter environmental mandates contradict the broad public consensus on global warming. According to a 2018 report by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, seven out of ten Americans believe global warming is happening and six out of ten say they are at least “somewhat worried”. Other polls differ ...
Commentary
Doctor Shortage Will Only Worsen Under Single-Payer
America’s doctor shortage is becoming more and more severe. The Association of American Medical Colleges recently projected a shortfall of up to 120,000 physicians by 2030. ObamaCare didn’t cause this crisis. But it has made the problem worse. The law created countless administrative headaches for doctors. Some have responded by ...
Commentary
Free Med School Won’t Solve the Doctor Shortage
The New York University School of Medicine just eliminated tuition for all current and future students. Administrators believe the reform will help solve the nation’s doctor shortage. Dean Robert Grossman suggests that “without the prospect of overwhelming financial debt,” more people will pursue medical careers. And they’ll be more willing ...
Commentary
Health Savings Accounts — a bipartisan way to reduce healthcare costs for Nevadans
In one fell swoop, incumbent members of Congress could save consumers money, drive down health care costs and burnish their bipartisan credentials before the midterms. How? By scrapping an Obamacare provision that prohibits roughly 3 million people from opening health savings accounts, which can save patients hundreds or even thousands ...
Commentary
Get Real With $6-a-Gallon ‘Raw Water’
Many Americans, in search of authenticity, seek out “locally sourced,” “artisanal” and “natural” foods. Recently I saw a milk delivery truck emblazoned with the words “naturally sourced.” Was the point to assure buyers that the milk came from cows, rather than a chemical factory in Shanghai? “Authentic” connotes different things ...
Commentary
Medicaid expansion is a recipe for disaster
This November, voters in Utah, Idaho, Nebraska, and Montana will decide whether to expand Medicaid. Expansion would place huge burdens on taxpayers while offering minimal benefits to new Medicaid enrollees. Last year, voters in Maine became the first to put Medicaid expansion on the ballot after Republican Gov. Paul LePage refused to expand the ...
Commentary
Science Shows the Way as Hurricane Approaches
Many people remember “science” as something that only the nerdy kids with thick glasses (like me) liked in high school. But it has everyday importance; for example, if you’re deciding whether to evacuate as Hurricane Florence bears down on the Carolinas. Here’s why: The destructive force of a storm increases ...
Despite Obamacare, healthcare spending is spiraling out of control
Former President Barack Obama promised the Affordable Care Act would bend “the cost curve and [start] to reduce costs for families, businesses, and government.” But his pledge has gone unfulfilled – patients and taxpayers are spending record amounts on healthcare. This year, total healthcare spending will increase 5.3 percent, according ...
The Opportunity Created by California’s Overly-Generous Public Pensions
Americans are facing two very different pension outlooks. Most private sector workers contribute to 401(k) plans (which are often matched by employers), and rely on investments, savings, and Social Security for their retirement. But, their savings is inadequate. According to a 2018 survey by Northwestern Mutual, 33 percent of Baby Boomers ...
Would Prop. 10 Reduce California’s High Housing Costs? Basic Economics Says No.
Californians will be faced with a dozen voter propositions on Election Day. None is more important than Proposition 10, which would allow local governments to enact rent control laws. The outcome will have a profound effect on California’s housing crisis. Prop 10 would repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of ...
CAFE Standards versus Public Opinion
Calls for stricter environmental mandates contradict the broad public consensus on global warming. According to a 2018 report by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, seven out of ten Americans believe global warming is happening and six out of ten say they are at least “somewhat worried”. Other polls differ ...
Doctor Shortage Will Only Worsen Under Single-Payer
America’s doctor shortage is becoming more and more severe. The Association of American Medical Colleges recently projected a shortfall of up to 120,000 physicians by 2030. ObamaCare didn’t cause this crisis. But it has made the problem worse. The law created countless administrative headaches for doctors. Some have responded by ...
Free Med School Won’t Solve the Doctor Shortage
The New York University School of Medicine just eliminated tuition for all current and future students. Administrators believe the reform will help solve the nation’s doctor shortage. Dean Robert Grossman suggests that “without the prospect of overwhelming financial debt,” more people will pursue medical careers. And they’ll be more willing ...
Health Savings Accounts — a bipartisan way to reduce healthcare costs for Nevadans
In one fell swoop, incumbent members of Congress could save consumers money, drive down health care costs and burnish their bipartisan credentials before the midterms. How? By scrapping an Obamacare provision that prohibits roughly 3 million people from opening health savings accounts, which can save patients hundreds or even thousands ...
Get Real With $6-a-Gallon ‘Raw Water’
Many Americans, in search of authenticity, seek out “locally sourced,” “artisanal” and “natural” foods. Recently I saw a milk delivery truck emblazoned with the words “naturally sourced.” Was the point to assure buyers that the milk came from cows, rather than a chemical factory in Shanghai? “Authentic” connotes different things ...
Medicaid expansion is a recipe for disaster
This November, voters in Utah, Idaho, Nebraska, and Montana will decide whether to expand Medicaid. Expansion would place huge burdens on taxpayers while offering minimal benefits to new Medicaid enrollees. Last year, voters in Maine became the first to put Medicaid expansion on the ballot after Republican Gov. Paul LePage refused to expand the ...
Science Shows the Way as Hurricane Approaches
Many people remember “science” as something that only the nerdy kids with thick glasses (like me) liked in high school. But it has everyday importance; for example, if you’re deciding whether to evacuate as Hurricane Florence bears down on the Carolinas. Here’s why: The destructive force of a storm increases ...
