Biden, Nostalgia, and Lessons
from the New Deal
It's been 89 years since FDR's New Deal, policy that has become the standing metaphor for "going big" on any pressing national issue. "And why not? It’s hard to think of a better model than FDR for the bold and inventive leadership our country needs now," writes PPI President Will Marshall in a new piece for The Hill. But, Marshall cautions that Biden's big ambitions could be hampered by catering to the farther left reaches of his party. Marshall sketches out an approach to a new era's New Deal, involving metro-federalism, experimental funding paths, and radical pragmatism.
→ "Biden and New Deal Nostalgia,"
by Will Marshall, The Hill
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☑New From The Experts
> Biologics ≠ Natural Monopolies
Healthcare costs have risen dramatically in the last several decades, and the mechanisms driving the rise involve a complicated dance between economics and medicine. PPI Senior Health Policy Fellow Dr. Robert Popovian challenges the assertion that certain types of treatment, biologics, are natural monopolies in a new op-ed. → "No, Biologics Are Not Natural Monopolies," by Dr. Robert Popovian and Dr. Wayne Winegarden, BioProcess
> Payment Schemes & Healthcare Gimmicks
Much is broken within the American healthcare system, as evidenced by a recent solicitation from health giant Cigna, who offered patients $500 to switch from Cosentyx to an alternative treatment, blurring the line between medical and financial decisions. Dr. Robert Popovian, a Senior Health Policy Fellow with PPI, finds this approach disturbing. His new piece proposes fixes to rebate policies with better savings for patients and a more effective approach to reducing costs overall. → "Blurring the Lines between Medical Practice and Insurance Coverage," by Dr. Robert Popovian, Healthcare Business Today |
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🗓 On the Calendar
Join us this coming week for events with Senator Joe Manchin, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, The 74, and Bellwether Education Partners.
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Thank you Senator Gillibrand and Representative Pappas for taking the time to participate in our events and elevating these crucial policy issues.
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This week, Radically Pragmatic has three all-new episodes. First up, PPI President Will Marshall and Jeremiah Johnson welcome Rep. Stacey Plaskett, Delegate to the House of Representatives for the U.S. Virgin Islands. The three discuss the New Democrat Coalition's 100 Days Agenda and the critical American Jobs Plan.
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Next up, Mosaic Economic Project Lead Crystal Swann is joined by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan and Mosaic Cohort Member Hilary Abell. They discuss the role of women in the post-COVID economy, removing barriers to childcare, increasing access to capital for entrepreneurial women of color, and much more.
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Finally, PPI's Paul Weinstein in conversation with Rep. Seth Moulton on the hot topic of high speed rail development and Biden's big infrastructure bill. Read the piece that inspired the episode.
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🔥Hot Off the Press
> Minimum Wage Limbo, Explained
The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 for decades. To many, the stagnation appears to be the product of political gridlock, but what if there's an economic reason? PPI Senior Fellow Will Wilkinson's work is cited in a new story from Markets Insider on the wonky economic theory that could explain the minimum wage limbo. → "A wonky theory could explain why the minimum wage is stuck at $7.25 an hour," by Hillary Hoffower and Nick Lichtenberg, Markets Insider
> Earmarks Under Scrutiny
Starting soon is a once-in-a-decade opportunity for Congress, when House appropriators begin sorting through thousands of earmark proposals for sending federal dollars into state and local projects. PPI's Ben Ritz offers his insight into the good-government reforms meant to curb unethical or scandalous spending in a new article for Roll Call. → "Earmark requests headed for scrutiny as deadline approaches," by Jennifer Shutt, Roll Call
> Black-Owned in the Digital Economy
An op-ed focusing on the policy and resource needs of Black-owned small businesses as the economy recovers highlights this report from PPI. Author Darcy Henderson encourages policymakers to ensure every business owner can participate equitably in the digital economy. → "Meeting The Needs Of Black-Owned Small Businesses In The Digital Economy," by Darcy Hendersonn, The Seattle Medium
> The Problem with RFF
A new op-ed in MassLive unpacks the issues and drawbacks of return-free filing (RFF) as the U.S. faces one of the most complicated tax seasons ever. Author Suzzanne Murphy highlights this PPI report from Dr. Michael Mandel in her argument against RFF, for the sake of freedom and privacy. → "Return free filing would strip Massachusetts residents of their freedom and privacy," by Suzzanne Murphy, MassLive
> Summer Break & School Lunches
The USDA announced earlier this week its plans to help low-income families feed their children through the summer, despite school closures. Reporting from Truthout features discussion of this report on hunger from PPI's Veronica Goodman and Crystal Swann, which urged President Biden to continue summertime hunger benefits beyond the pandemic. → "Biden Admin Plans to Help 34 Million Kids Losing School Lunches in Summertime," by Chris Walker, Truthout
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