Publications -- Policy Backgrounder

Aug 16, 1994

BG #133 – The Clinton/Gephardt Bill

House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO) released the health care reform bill of the House Democratic leadership on July 29.  It is a composite based on President Clinton's original proposal and on the work of the House Ways and Means and House Education and Labor committees.  While Gephardt has sought to emphasize the differences between his bill and President Clinton's plan, what is remarkable is how little has changed.

Aug 10, 1994

BG #132 – Evaluating Senator Dole's Health Care Plan

The Dole proposal avoids most of the bad features of the Clinton health care plan and its various derivatives.  A true market-based alternative, it includes many of the reform ideas developed by the National Center for Policy Analysis.  However, the proposal's unnecessary, counterproductive insurance regulations need to be replaced, and details of its positive reforms can be significantly improved.  This backgrounder discusses what is right in the Dole plan, why it is superior to Clinton-style plans and how it can be improved.

Jul 07, 1994

BG #131 – The Health Policy Debate: Options for Reform

Both the Congress and the American people seem to have already rejected President Clinton's health reform blueprint. A large bloc of voters, perhaps a majority, is vehemently opposed to the plan. Many others are confused or skeptical. In Congress, staunch supporters of the president's proposal are rare.

Nov 15, 1993

BG #130 – The Case For NAFTA

The North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA) agreement would phase out all tariffs and most nontariff barriers between the United States, Mexico and Canada. The most surprising thing about NAFTA is that there is any controversy surrounding it. Both economic theory and centuries of empirical evidence support the conclusion that free trade means prosperity for all involved.

Oct 05, 1993

BG #129 – What President Clinton Can Learn from Canada About Price Controls and Global Budgets

As part of his health care plan, President Clinton has proposed price controls on health insurance premiums and "global budgets" that try to limit how much people can spend on health care each year.  Capping the supply of care through budget and premium limitations, as in the Canadian system, will lead to lower costs only to the extent that they lead to shortages of technology, waiting for treatment and reduced response to the health care needs of Americans.

Jul 22, 1993

BG #128 – Personal Medical Savings Accounts (Medical IRAs) - An Idea Whose Time Has Come

Last year, about 150 members of Congress cosponsored at least one of 12 different bills designed to create personal Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs).  Also called Medisave Accounts and Medical IRAs, Medical Savings Accounts are attracting growing support again this year, as new MSA bills are fashioned in the current legislative session.

Jun 10, 1993

BG #126 – Should 85 Percent of Social Security Benefits Be Taxed?

President Clinton proposes to increase the tax on Social Security benefits. Although the administration calls this an "entitlement spending reduction," what it proposes is a tax that will fall primarily on elderly investment income. The remainder of the burden will fall on the wages of elderly workers.

Jun 04, 1993

BG #127 – Federal Budget Issue: Do We Need an Energy Tax?

Bill Clinton's economic program calls for some $295 billion in taxes over the next five years. To put this tax hike in perspective: the adminis-tration's tax proposal is about twice the size of President Bush's tax increase, which was enacted as part of the 1990 budget deal.

Mar 11, 1993

BG #125 – President Clinton's Economic Plan

The National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) has completed a fonnal forecast of the effects of President Clinton's economic plan. The forecast assumes adoption of the plan in full, including all tax and spending changes.

Jan 07, 1993

BG #124 – Why Bush Lost the Election: Ten Lessons for the Clinton Administration

According to the political pundits, a lackluster economy is the main reason President Bush lost the election. That judgment is based on solid economic evidence:

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