Morning Bell: Thanks to Obamacare…
It’s Obamacare’s third anniversary. Though many key parts of Obamacare—including some of its tax hikes and mandates—don’t go into effect until next year, Americans are… Read More
Obamacare at 3 Years: Unrealistic Expectations for ACOs
Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)—a concept that a group of doctors and hospitals will work collectively to manage the care and costs of Medicare patients—were expected… Read More
The Jobless Recovery Continues with High Unemployment
At the height of the recession, one in 10 Americans who wanted to work could not find employment. Since then, the unemployment rate has gradually… Read More
Morning Bell: First Look at the 2014 Ryan Budget
At first look, the budget unveiled today by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul D. Ryan (R-WI) advances much-needed reforms and importantly accomplishes the crucial goal… Read More
Morning Bell: 6 Things the Next U.S. Budget Should Do
It’s time for Congress to make a real budget—and not just any budget. It’s been four years since the U.S. had a real budget. While… Read More
Chart of the Week: The Impact of an Aging America
Sequestration has taken effect, and yet government spending continues growing. Sequestration’s 2.4 percent reductions are not enough to fix Washington’s spending and debt problem because… Read More
Chart of the Week: Sequestration Cuts 2.4 Percent out of Total Spending
Federal spending will explode from $3.6 trillion to $6 trillion over the next 10 years, but the much-maligned sequester will cut only 2.4 percent of… Read More
In Congress, a Welcome Desire for “Regular Order”
As Members of Congress left town last week for the Presidents’ Day break, a refreshing and commendable sentiment followed them: nostalgia for the “regular order”… Read More
Simpson–Bowles Redux: Another $600 Billion Tax Increase
Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson, former co-chairs of the 2010 White House deficit-reduction panel whose plan failed, released an outline for a new proposal on… Read More
Small Business Owners to Congress: Fix the Debt with Entitlement Reform
The National Small Business Association’s economic report finds, “The growing national debt is the number one thing small businesses thin[k] Congress and the administration should… Read More
How to Fix the Medicare Physician Payment Problem
The congressional formula that determines the annual Medicare payment update for physicians, the sustainable growth rate (SGR), was supposed to cut Medicare doctors’ pay each… Read More
No, Obamacare Does Not Lower Health Care Spending
Obamacare supporters tend to give credit to the law where credit is not due. In the latest attempt, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D–WA)… Read More
Hospices Reveal Obamacare’s Impact
Two hospice care centers are struggling to make ends meet, and Obamacare’s cuts to Medicare are to blame. Hospices—health care facilities for the terminally ill—along… Read More
5 Bipartisan Health Care Reform Options
Addressing our nation’s overspending problem cannot be done without reforming entitlements, especially Medicare and Medicaid. As Washington remains clearly divided over how to get it… Read More
CBO: Tax Increase Fails to Solve Spending and Debt Crisis
While President Obama keeps calling for more taxes, today’s figures from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) show the tax hike he signed into law just… Read More
Don’t Gut Our Military: $150 Billion in Commonsense Proposals to Prevent Sequestration
Unless Congress acts, March 1 will trigger a $55 billion-per-year ($43 billion in 2013, as the fiscal cliff deal delayed the cuts for two months)… Read More
Morning Bell: Obama’s Second Inaugural Address, Translated
Members of Congress—who are about to debate raising the debt ceiling tomorrow—should have paid attention yesterday. The President was very clear that he sees no… Read More
Will Debt Ceiling Baby Step Lead Toward a Balanced Budget?
The debt ceiling is bearing down on Washington. As with most such momentous occasions, plenty of partisan potshots have been exchanged, like this whopper from… Read More
Chart of the Week: Growth of Government Assistance Adds to National Debt
More than 41 percent of the U.S. population is “enrolled in at least one federal assistance program,” adding tens of billions of dollars to the… Read More
Health Care Spending Remains Stable, but Not for Long
Health care spending actually didn’t skyrocket in 2011–but just wait. This week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of the Actuary released… Read More
The Washington Post Agrees: It’s Time to Make a Down Payment on Medicare Reform
The editorial board of The Washington Post, no organ of conservative opinion, is absolutely right: “Medicare as we know it is not sustainable,” and the… Read More
Chart of the Week: Government Spending Drives Debt Limit Higher
Even though Congress and President Obama reached a fiscal cliff deal, the fallout will continue to be felt by individuals, investors, married couples, and small… Read More
Top 10 Heritage Charts of 2012
If you’ve read our work, you probably know we love charts. Our signature products — the Index of Economic Freedom and Federal Budget in Pictures… Read More
Morning Bell: 10 Facts on the Fiscal Cliff, Debt, and Spending
Budget policy in 2012 was characterized by deficit spending, major increases in the national debt, and a heated debate over the “fiscal cliff.” With just… Read More
Health CareNews
12 Days of Obamacare Surprises: An Optional Medicaid Expansion
Not all surprises are good. When it comes to Obamacare, the original projections are turning into unfortunately different realities. For the past 11 days, Heritage… Read More
12 Days of Obamacare Surprises: Deficit Reduction?
Not all surprises are good. When it comes to Obamacare, the original projections are turning into unfortunately different realities. For the next two days, Heritage… Read More
12 Days of Obamacare Surprises: The Independent Payment Advisory Board
Not all surprises are good. When it comes to Obamacare, the original projections are turning into unfortunately different realities. For the next three days, Heritage… Read More
12 Days of Obamacare Surprises: Increased Employer Penalties
Not all surprises are good. When it comes to Obamacare, the original projections are turning into unfortunately different realities. For the next four days, Heritage… Read More
12 Days of Obamacare Surprises: More Medicare Cuts
Not all surprises are good. When it comes to Obamacare, the original projections are turning into unfortunately different realities. For the next five days, Heritage… Read More
Morning Bell: 3 Simple Solutions for Fixing Social Security
Later today the Republican-led House of Representatives will vote on “Plan B,” the latest unsatisfactory proposal put forward by Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) to avoid… Read More
