NCPA Publications

The Market for Medical Care Should Work Like Cosmetic Surgery

Nick Cross — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Every day, millions of American consumers go shopping. In the process, they compare the prices and quality of goods and services ranging from groceries to cellular telephone service to fast food to housing. But that daily ritual changes when it comes to comparing prices for medical care. Health care is the only major sector of our economy where consumers typically do not make decisions based on comparison shopping.

Economics of the 2013-2014 Debate Topic: U.S. Economic Engagement Toward Cuba, Mexico or Venezuela

Nick Cross — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:07:27 GMT

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic engagement toward Cuba, Mexico or Venezuela.

Congressional Brief: Federal Involvement in Education

Nick Cross — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:42:24 GMT

Through the U.S. Department of Education, created in 1979, the federal government has incrementally increased its role in education over the last 30 years. Federal spending on public elementary and secondary education in fiscal year 2010 totaled $76 billion, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, accounting for 12.7 percent of current state expenditures.

VA Electronic Health Records: What Federally Mandated Health Integration Really Looks Like

Nick Cross — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Nearly one-fourth of the U.S. population is potentially eligible for veteran benefits and services, including former members of the armed services, spouses, children and survivors. The delivery of medical care is one of the most important obligations of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.¹In 2012 VA hospitals treated more than 6.3 million unique patients.²

Budget Wars

Nick Cross — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:00:00 GMT

After four years without a federal budget, the House of Representatives and the Senate have passed different budget plans. The House plan sponsored by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and the Senate plan sponsored by Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) must be reconciled if the federal government is to adopt a budget.

Are Corporate Bonds Worth a Look?

Nick Cross — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:00:00 GMT

In this age of low returns on certificates of deposit and jitters over the stock market, many investors wonder where to put their money. One option is corporate bonds. Corporations issue bonds to finance expansion or acquisition of other firms. According to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, the value of U.S. corporate bonds was $1.36 trillion in 2012.

Rare Earths Mining Potential in the United States

Nick Cross — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:00:00 GMT

America’s well-being — our homes, workplaces, schools, hospitals and transportation systems — are all possible because of this country’s vast mineral wealth. The United States ranks as among the world’s largest minerals users and minerals producers; but we depend on foreign sources for rare earths.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Examining the Safety, Security, Privacy and Regulatory Issues of Integration into U.S. Airspace

Nick Cross — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:00:00 GMT

This paper reviews the history of unmanned aerial systems development, considers the uses for unmanned aerial systems technology, examines the safety, insurance, security, privacy and regulatory issues associated with integration into the national airspace, and concludes with some recommendations.

Read the full article here.

The State of Health Care Spending

Nick Cross — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The following is a presentation provided by the research team at the Private Enterprise Research Center at Texas A&M University.

Drones: Look to the Sky!

Nick Cross — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones, date back to the dawn of modern aviation at Kittyhawk. Modern drones have come about through a combination of technological advancements, including the refinement of propulsion methods, expansion of wireless capabilities, digitization of avionics, wide-band data transmission and the increased capabilities of satellite-based Global Positioning System navigation.

LOST at Sea

Nick Cross — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea — known as UNCLOS or LOST (Law of the Sea Treaty) — recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, but has yet to be ratified by the U.S. Senate. Many objections to the Treaty are based on arguments of national sovereignty. However, there are very sound economic and environmental reasons why the U.S. Senate should continue to reject ratification.

An Economic and Policy Analysis of Florida Medicaid Expansion

Nick Cross — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:00:00 GMT

In June 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled as unconstitutional, those provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) denying federal matching funds to states that refuse to extend Medicaid eligibility to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). As a result, Florida and other states now have the opportunity to compare the costs and benefits of expanding Medicaid eligibility.

Unnecessary Regulations that Increase Prescription Drug Costs

Nick Cross — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Drug coverage will become more prevalent as more uninsured families gain health insurance as a result of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Drug therapy is arguably the most efficient method to treat most illnesses — often substituting for more expensive hospital and surgical treatments. Broader use of prescription drugs for chronic illness could reduce medical costs by avoiding expensive emergency room visits, costly complications and hospitalizations.

Private School Choice: Options for Texas Children

Nick Cross — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:00:00 GMT

The fundamental problem with Texas public schools, and nationwide, is that children are not engaged in useful learning. Far too many children are confused, overwhelmed or bored. As a result, they learn little, become discipline problems, and drop out at high rates. Though the worst problems are in the urban schools attended by the poor, the issue cannot be solely attributed to low income or an urban environment.

The Job Market: Is College Overrated?

Nick Cross — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The economic downturn that began in 2007 has been particularly hard on both educated workers and employers. However, a 2012 survey from the staffing firm Manpower, Inc. found that nearly half of employers are still having difficulty filling jobs. Yet, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, half of all college graduates under the age of 25 are either unemployed or underemployed — working part-time or at a job below their skill level.