Publications -- Study

NCPA studies generally break new ground on policy issues. A study seeks to cast new light on an issue and to stimulate policy-makers and others to think of new, innovative solutions to the problems associated with the issue. Studies may combine several elements of analysis, including original research, reviews of academic literature, creative approaches for solving public policy problems, and economic modeling.

Mar 23, 2006

ST #283 – Ten Steps to Reforming Baby Boomer Retirement

As 77 million members of the Baby Boom generation begin to retire, America is about to experience one of the most dramatic economic, sociological and demographic changes in its history. The institutions we have relied upon in the past are completely unprepared for what lies ahead.

Mar 20, 2006

ST #284 – Medicaid Empire: Why New York Spends so much on Health Care for the Poor and Near Poor and How the System Can Be Reformed

Medicaid, the joint federal-state health care program for the poor and near poor, is the largest single expenditure by state governments today. At the rate the program is growing, it is on a course to consume the entire budgets of state governments in just a few decades.

Jan 25, 2006

ST #282 – Protecting the Environment Through the Ownership Society — Part I

President George W. Bush has promoted the "Ownership Society" as a solution to a variety of public policy issues including health care, housing and retirement.  This concept can be extended to environmental issues.

Nov 16, 2005

ST #281 – Social Security Reform: Responding to the Critics

Critics of President Bush’s Social Security reform proposal have used findings by Robert Shiller, professor of economics at Yale University, to suggest that many workers will lose money if they open personal retirement accounts (PRAs), which are a key component of the president’s reform approach.

Nov 16, 2005

ST #280 – Will the President’s Proposal Solve Social Security’s Crisis?

The Bush Administration has proposed a two-part Social Security reform plan that would reduce the growth in initial benefit payments awarded to higher earners and allow all younger workers to invest part of their Social Security payroll tax dollars in personal retirement accounts.

Sep 30, 2005

ST #279 – The Physical Evidence of Earth's Unstoppable 1,500-Year Climate Cycle

The Earth currently is experiencing a warming trend, but there is scientific evidence that human activities have little to do with it.

Sep 29, 2005

ST #275 – Tax and Social Security Reform: Thinking Outside the Box

This study examines the effects of fundamental tax reform as well as combining tax reform with fundamental Social Security reform.

Sep 14, 2005

ST #278 – Living with Global Warming

Should we try to prevent global warming? Or should we use our resources to adapt to the consequences of warming?  This paper analyzes costs and benefits of two different approaches.

Jun 09, 2005

ST #277 – Reforming Social Security: Lessons from Thirty Countries

Social Security reform in the United States has become a nationally debated topic, but privately managed, funded plans are already a component of the social security systems of more than 30 nations around the world.

May 10, 2005

ST #276 – Consumer Driven Health Care: The Changing Role of the Patient

The latest trend in health care? Patients are managing their own care. New technologies make it possible. Legislative changes facilitate it. And financial pressures all but require it.