Early learning off track, state of WI schools, countdown to Annual Dinner Celebrating 35 years of advancing freedom in Wisconsin Mandate for Madison: New Report Common-sense Healthcare Reforms for Wisconsin September 16, 2022 — The surest way to improve the healthcare that Wisconsinites receive is to enable people to get the greatest satisfaction at the most favorable price via a free and transparent market. At the moment, the healthcare market in Wisconsin is far from free and transparent. In this report, scholars Daniel Sem and Scott Niederjohn lay out concrete steps that Wisconsin policymakers can take to change that, to enable medical professionals and the patients who need them to meet directly — reforms to what they term “the patient-provider interface.” It means removing barriers to providing individualized and innovative care, while letting patients choose services and getting them the information they need to make decisions. Sem and Niederjohn specifically address new, better options for buying healthcare, reforms Wisconsin can undertake to moderate drug prices and improve availability, ways to expand access to doctors, tools to let patients find better care at a better price and changes to ensure that enough providers will be available when Wisconsinites need them. These reforms center on reducing the role and influence of third parties such as insurers and governments, and shifting power to patients and the providers they choose. Reforms need to happen at the federal level, too, but as the authors make clear, state policymakers have a great many tasks — and can accomplish great things now. Read the report Mandate for Madison: New Report Off Track: An Assessment of Wisconsin’s Early Care and Learning System for Young Children September 20, 2022 — Raising children, as can be fully appreciated only after you’ve done it, takes place in real time. They eat, sleep and grow whether you’re ready or not. So as parents supply children with the most crucial material treasure they ever will receive — a stable, loving home — many rely on some outside help in caring for their children while earning a living. Wisconsin long ago decided to assist low-income parents in finding good help. How is the state doing at this? Not so well. Here, an eminent Wisconsin-based scholar and Badger Institute visiting fellow, Angela Rachidi, examines the current landscape, looking at how Wisconsin spends about $400 million a year in federal and state taxpayer money to subsidize childcare and early learning. Crucially, she looks at how the government’s efforts to improve the quality of childcare has increased costs, diminished parents’ options and resulted in fewer children accessing the help that taxpayers offer. Rachidi lays out steps that Wisconsin policymakers can take to fix things — specifically how they can reduce the deadening weight of the state’s hand and, instead, give more authority to parents and childcare providers. Her recommendations are urgent: Wisconsin’s future adults are growing and learning in real time, whether their parents — and the state’s assistance — are ready or not. Read the report At a Glance Badger in the News Newsmakers: State of Schools in Wisconsin — A Conversation with Public and Choice School Advocates WisEye: On Sept. 21, Newsmakers Host Lisa Pugh sat down with Wisconsin Association of School Boards Director of Government Relations Dan Rossmiller and Badger Institute consultant and member of the Wisconsin Coalition for Education Freedom, Jim Bender, for a discussion on the state of schools. Education is a top issue for voters heading into November elections, yet several key questions are dividing Wisconsinites along party lines. While those in Republican leadership have been advocating for statewide expansion of the school voucher program and holding the line on property taxes, Democrats including Governor Evers say it’s time to raise school spending limits and dramatically increase special education funding. Watch the interview Weekly Survey: Would direct interactions between healthcare providers and patients improve healthcare delivery? Answer below! Yes No Last Week’s Results Badger Institute Annual Dinner Join the Badger Institute on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 to celebrate 35 years of advancing freedom in Wisconsin at our Annual Dinner. The evening will feature keynote speaker Ed Feulner, co-founder and longtime president of The Heritage Foundation, one of the world's most influential think tanks. Feulner will share remarks on vision and leadership, drawing on his experience at the helm of Heritage as the Foundation crafted many of President Reagan’s influential policies as well as those of subsequent executive administrations. He will also speak about the Institute's Mandate for Madison, our roadmap for Wisconsin citizens and leaders toward a freer and more prosperous future. The dinner will be hosted at the Wisconsin Club. Click here to register and sponsorships are available (email Vice President Angela Smith). Register Now Free Exchange Podcast Wisconsin’s transportation funding system running on fumes Transportation projects in Wisconsin are primarily funded by per-gallon fuel taxes that are declining as fuel economy improves and more drivers opt for electric and hybrid vehicles. Transportation funding gurus Robert W. Poole Jr. and Benita Cotton-Orr, both Badger Institute visiting fellows, join us to discuss how Badger State roads should be funded in the future. Listen to the podcast What We’re Reading Eva Moskowitz: Supporting student wellness through challenging academic learning Mackinac Center: Right-to-work is a sure bet in an uncertain economy AEI: Post-Pandemic Schooling: What Now? Center Square: New school choice coalition in Wisconsin looks to expand education options Foreign Affairs: America’s Education Crisis Is a National Security Threat Invest in the Badger Institute For 35 years, the Badger Institute, formerly known as the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute (WPRI), has been at the forefront of the fight for school choice, right to work, welfare reform, tax restructuring, limited government, civil society and so much more. If you appreciate the Institute’s legacy and want to support free markets, opportunity and prosperity, please consider donating $35, $350 or $3,500 today. Your support will help the Institute continue to advocate for conservative principles for the next 35 years – and beyond! The Institute never has, and never will, accept government funding. We gratefully welcome your online donation or email Angela Smith, Vice President of Development. The Badger Institute is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization funded solely by the generosity of foundations, companies and individuals. Support Freedom   Top Picks is our weekly update. To receive more frequent content from the Badger Institute’s experts – or share with us your policy areas of interest – CLICK HERE Badger Institute | 700 W Virginia St, Suite 301, Milwaukee, WI 53204 www.badgerinstitute.org Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!