• Capitol Hill Testimony/ Briefings/ Events

• Hatton W. Sumners Distinguished Lecture Series

• Economic Policy Forum and Author Luncheon

• NCPA Scholars and Research in the News

• NCPA Publications

• NCPA President John Goodman appeared in the first 2007 hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee January 10.  The hearing, chaired by Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), featured a roundtable discussion on the challenges and opportunities to ensure every American has health insurance.

• Goodman appeared before a special hearing of the House Ways & Means Committee January 31.  The hearing of the House tax writing committee, chaired by Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), focused on problems facing middle-class families.  Goodman explained to the assembled representatives that many of the struggles facing modern families are due to outdated public policies designed for single-income households.

• In a joint release with the Milton and Rose D. Friedman Foundation and Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options (Hispanic CREO), the NCPA unveiled a study showing that this year’s class of high school drop outs in Texas will cost the state’s taxpayers $377 million a year over their lives.  The study was released at a news conference Jan. 12 at the Texas Capitol Building featuring former U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige and NCPA Distinguished Fellow Robert McTeer.  To read the report: http://www.friedmanfoundation.org/

• Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Charles Krauthammer was featured at the inaugural 2007 Hatton W. Sumners Distinguished Lecture Series luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 21 at noon in the Austin Ballroom of the Adam’s Mark hotel.  Dr. Krauthammer gave a speech entitled “Can America hold the line? Iraq and the Future of the Bush Doctrine.” 
• The Rt. Hon. David Davis, Shadow Home Secretary and Member of the British Parliament spoke at the Hatton W. Sumners Distinguished Lecture Series luncheon Tuesday, March 20 at noon in the Khmer Pavilion of the Hilton Anatole hotel.  Mr. Davis discussed the interaction between global security and global freedom.

• Business development economist and author Gene Heck headlined the 2007 inaugural edition of the NCPA’s Economic Policy Forum and Author Luncheon on Thursday, January 11 at the Belo Mansion in Dallas.  Dr. Heck discussed his new book: "Building Prosperity: Why Ronald Reagan and the Founding Fathers Were Right on the Economy.” 

• Investigative journalist and best-selling author Richard Miniter spoke in Dallas as part of the NCPA’s Economic Policy Forum and Author Luncheon, Wednesday, Feb. 28 at noon in Belo Hall at the Belo Mansion.  Mr. Miniter discussed his new book, Disinformation: 22 Media Myths That Undermine the War on Terror.

• NCPA President John C. Goodman told the March 23 edition of Investor’s Business Daily that a large percent of Baby Boomers may decide to work well into their golden years in order to stay on their employer’s health insurance plan.
• NCPA Board Chairman Pete du Pont discussed the troop surge in Iraq on Fox News March 18.

• NCPA Distinguished Fellow Robert McTeer told CNBC’s Power Lunch March 20 that the Federal Reserve is likely to leave interest rates alone, but if forced to alter them they would probably raise them slightly.  McTeer’s comments were later recounted that evening on CNBC’s Kudlow & Company and on CNBC’s Squawk Box on March 21. 
• McTeer also told MarketWatch.com March 21 that Fed rates are likely to remain unchanged.

• NCPA Senior Fellow H. Sterling Burnett told the March 26 edition of Environment and Climate News that there is a concerted attack on state climatologists who are skeptical of the influence human activity is having on climate change. 
• NCPA Senior Fellow Devon Herrick told the March 23 Health Day News that insurance companies should not be required to insure anyone and everyone.  This story was published by several newspapers and online news sites throughout the country.
• Goodman told NewsRx.net March 26 that true transparency in the health care marketplace will not occur until more patients own consumer-driven health plans.
• Burnett discussed former Vice President Al Gore’s congressional testimony on climate change March 24 on WBAL-AM’s Bruce Elliott Show.
• Burnett told the March 23 Environment and Climate News that the U.S. is doing a better job at reducing greenhouse gases than is the European Union.  In the same issue Burnett noted the economic costs EPA regulations have on individual communities.
• Burnett told the Associated Press March 16 that the world is likely to take a "wait and see" approach to Britain’s new global warming plan.  This article appeared in newspapers through the country and Europe.

• In a special conversation with Parkland Health and Hospital Association President Ron Anderson for the March 18 edition of the Dallas Morning News, Goodman suggested a few reforms for Texas’ Medicaid program. 
• Citing the latest employment figures, McTeer told CNBC’s Morning Call on March 9 that the Federal Reserve is likely to hold interest rates where they are.
• In an article describing the potential cost-savings of generic drugs, The Wall Street Journal on March 13 referred readers to “Shopping for Drugs” authored by Herrick for additional advice on ways for consumers to save.
• NCPA Adjunct Scholar Fred Singer told CNSNews.com March 15 that the debate over global warming is filled with “bunk and misinformation.”
• Du Pont told the March 5 edition of The Weekly Standard that New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has a decent tax cutting track record, but needs to work on spending restraint.
• Burnett told Fox News Channel’s Your World with Neil Cavuto on March 12 that privatizing forests may help prevent future forest fires.
• Burnett told the March 10 edition of TechNewsWold.com that technology doesn’t exist to separate energy use from economic growth.
• McTeer provided a mild defense of former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan’s recent speeches March 1 on CNBC’s Kudlow & Company.
• Herrick told Health Care News on March 9 that many people trying to comply with Massachusetts’ health insurance mandate are experiencing sticker shock.
• The March 9 Modesto Bee noted NCPA research that showed people are exposed to hundreds of toxic air-borne chemicals indoors.
• In a letter to USA Today printed March 6, Herrick noted that while universal health coverage polls well, “universal” means something different to different people.
• Burnett told the March 6 edition of the Waterbury Republican-American that due to environmental demagoguery, what most people know about air pollution is wrong.
• In the March 6 Twin Cities Finance and Commerce and the St. Paul Legal Ledger, Burnett argued that geothermal energy resources can dissipate and provide neither reliable nor cheap energy.
• Du Pont points out in his monthly column on Feb. 21 for The Wall Street Journal’s OpinionJournal.com, that our world experiences cyclical climate changes, and that America needs to understand clearly what is happening and why before we sign onto U.N. environmental agreements, shut down our industries and power plants, and limit our economic growth.
• Du Pont discussed his OpinionJournal.com column on Fox News Channel’s Dayside Feb. 23.  Du Pont’s thoughts were also noted in the Feb. 28 Delaware Daily News Journal.
• In an article that appeared Feb. 11 in the Washington Post and US News & World Report, columnist Michael Barone noted that Goodman says taxes collected on health insurance benefits over the $15,000 threshold under President Bush’s plan could be used to subsidize insurance for low-income workers.
• On Feb. 12 McTeer appeared in Austin to help release a new study showing the high cost of high school drop outs on the state’s economy.  McTeer’s comments and the study were reported by syndicated columnist Bill Murchison, the Associated Press, Austin American-Statesman, Dallas Morning News, El Paso Times, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Houston Chronicle and the San Diego Union-Tribune.  It was reported on KRLD-AM, KTCK-AM, KATC-TV, KLTV-TV, KVUE-TV, News8 Austin, KXAS-TV, WFAA-TV and WOAI-TV, among others.
• In response to Congressional testimony by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, McTeer told CNBC’s Kudlow & Company Feb. 15 that inflation is ebbing and the economy is stronger than people think.
• Also on Feb. 15, McTeer told Bloomberg radio that globalization has a disinflationary effect on the economy.
• Burnett noted U.N. data that showed the U.S. is doing a better job reducing greenhouse gas emissions than is Europe.  Burnett’s comments were reported Feb. 23 in the Washington Times, Feb. 22 in Investor’s Business Daily and Feb. 28 in Chemical Week.
• On Feb. 27, Investor’s Business Daily noted NCPA research showing the Greenland ice caps have increased in mass and the average summer temperature there has declined.
• Goodman told the Feb. 23 Washington Times that compared to other developed countries, many of which have national single-payer health care systems, the U.S. gets good results for the money spent on our mostly-private health care system.
• The Feb. 27 edition of the Kansas City Star noted NCPA research showing today’s seniors’ health care consumption equals 44.5 percent of their Social Security benefits.
• Burnett wrote in the Feb. 24 edition of Duluth News Tribune that polar bears should not be listed as an endangered species. Burnett’s comments also appeared in Environment News Feb. 17 and on March 4 in the Wisconsin State Journal.
• McTeer appeared on Bloomberg’s Money and Politics Feb. 14 to explain why the Federal Reserve didn’t lower its inflation forecast.
• Burnett told Environment News Feb. 17 that the author of a controversial climate change report for the British government resigned amid widespread criticism of his findings.
• On Feb. 14 MSNBC.com linked to NCPA research dispelling myths of global warming.
• In a Feb. 14 letter to the Washington Times, Burnett pointed out the relative silence from the national media about political pressure being applied to state climatologists in Delaware and Oregon who refuse to ratify the governors’ preferred theory about climate change.
• Herrick told Health Care News on Feb. 16 that consumers need to become better educated.
• The American Daily noted NCPA research on Feb. 12 that shows the impact a warming world might have on agriculture.
• The Delaware News Journal on Feb. 6 noted that NCPA Adjunct Scholar David Legates, who is the state’s climatologist, is under political pressure in his state due to his skeptical position on climate change.
• The Feb. 5 edition of the American Daily noted NCPA research that climate change follows a natural 1,500 year climate cycle.
• Burnett told WBAL-AM (Baltimore) Feb. 6 that polar bears are not currently endangered.
• Investor’s Business Daily noted NCPA research on Feb. 15 that 14 million uninsured Americans are eligible for government programs but are not enrolled.
• Goodman appeared on CNBC’s Morning Call on Feb. 8 to debate the merits of a national single-payer health care system.  Goodman suggested a goal of establishing a personal and portable private system.
• In a letter dated Feb. 12 to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Herrick noted the importance of understanding how health insurance works and why people choose to stay uninsured before attempting to reform the system.
• Burnett told the Environment News Service on Feb. 3 that the U.N. International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report is less alarming that reports would indicate.  Burnett noted that the report predicts less warming and less sea level rise than previous IPCC reports.
• In a special article for the Feb. 3 edition of The Weekly Standard, Goodman said that California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s health care plan took a good idea and added so many bells and whistles that it is no longer recognizable.
• The Feb. 3 edition of Farm Week notes NCPA research showing irradiation could significantly reduce food poisoning. 
• Burnett told CNSNews.com on Feb. 1 that the IPCC often draws from experts in fields that don’t have the best perspective on global warming.
• NCPA Senior Policy Analyst Matt Moore told the Kansas City Star on Feb. 2 that the tradeoff between Social Security benefits and health insurance under the Bush proposal may depend on how it’s implemented.  This article also appeared on Feb. 8 in the Honolulu Advertiser.
• Goodman told the Dallas Morning News on Jan. 24 that the other significant aspect of Bush’s health care plan would use charity care dollars to encourage states to help low-income individuals purchase private insurance.
• Du Pont pointed out in his monthly column on Jan. 24 for The Wall Street Journal’s OpinionJournal.com that the new Congress has reinstated a clever and deceptive wrinkle, something called pay-as-you-go, or "paygo," so that spending can always be increased and taxes can never be cut.
• Du Pont discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the growing presidential candidate field on the Fox News Channel on Jan. 26.
• On CNBC’s Street Signs on Jan. 31, McTeer noted that the Federal Reserve is signaling that the economy is strong.
• Goodman told the Associated Press on Jan. 26 that President Bush’s health care plan would level the playing field between those who receive subsidized health insurance through an employer and those that do not.  This article appeared in numerous papers across the country.
• McTeer told Voice of America on Jan. 31 that monetary policy has been effective in holding back inflation.
• Sean Hannity told listeners of his nationally syndicated radio show on Jan. 30 that the NCPA is doing great work debunking environmental myths and responding to claims of environmental lobbyists.
• On Jan. 28 CNNMoney.com noted NCPA research that minimum wage increases typically lead to fewer jobs for minimum wage workers.
• The Jan. 22 Charleston Daily Mail noted NCPA research that showed cost-of-living is an important factor policy makers need to look at when determining how well or poorly teachers are being paid in a given region.
• On Jan. 24 Burnett appeared on KSRO-AM’s (San Francisco, CA) David Glass Show to discuss the energy proposals President Bush made during his State of the Union address.
• Herrick told Investment News on Jan. 29 that employers moving to consumer-directed health care plans need to do a good job educating their employees about the new plans.
• On Jan. 18 Burnett appeared on KPFT-FM (Houston, TX) to discuss how government has mismanaged public lands and ocean fisheries. 
• Herrick discussed the potential for Universal Health Accounts (UHAs) in the February edition of Health Care News.  This story also appeared Jan. 29 on EMaxHealth.com.
• Goodman explained how the Bush health care plan adds an element of tax fairness to syndicated columnist Jacob Sullum.  Sullum’s column appeared in the Washington Times and Human Events, among others.
• Herrick provided suggestions for consumers to save on their prescription drug costs in the Jan. 28 edition of Newsday.
• In a special column for the Jan. 23 Wall Street Journal, McTeer noted that economic growth does not have to be inflationary.
• The Jan. 23 Dallas Morning News noted an NCPA study that showed Texas only received 60 percent of the Medicaid funds it should have.
• Goodman told the Jan. 19 Washington Times that expanding public health care programs will lead to a drop in those with private coverage.
• Du Pont told the Miami Herald Jan. 16 that free trade is needed to ensure economic growth.
• Burnett told TechNewsWorld.com on Jan. 24 that CEOs pushing the White House to set national emission caps have decided it’s better to have one national regulation than to fight them in every state they operate in.
• Herrick appeared on the Terry Lowry Show on KTEK-AM (Houston, TX) Jan. 23 to discuss his study: "Shopping for Drugs."
• On Jan. 29 Goodman explained to Modern Health Care magazine that hospitals complaining about the Bush health care plan are ignoring the potential that fewer patients will visit ERs without the ability to pay.
• In a column discussing Bush’s energy proposals for National Review Online, which also appeared on CBSNews.com, Henry Payne noted NCPA research that showed a much more extreme proposal by Sen. Kerry would not reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
• Goodman told Business Insurance magazine on Jan. 29 that Health Savings Accounts could be a good vehicle to solve a lot of problems.
• On Jan. 30 McTeer appeared on Bloomberg TV’s Money and Politics to forecast upcoming Federal Reserve movements.
• On Jan. 23 Herrick appeared on WKRS-AM’s (Illinois) Extreme Wisdom show to discuss the importance of consumer-directed health care.
• Herrick told the Jan. 22 edition of Investment News that Gov. Schwarzenegger’s health care proposal in California should include allowing low-income families to use the state subsidy to fund a Health Savings Account.
• In a column for McClatchy-Tribune Burnett noted that polar bears are not in danger.  Burnett’s column appeared on Jan. 21 in the Kansas City Star, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and Centre Daily Times, Jan. 22 in the Akron Beacon Journal, and on Jan. 26 in the Augusta Chronicle, Charlotte Observer and Daily Herald papers.
• Du Pont appeared on the Fox News Channel on Jan. 8 to forecast the 2008 presidential race and particularly in light of Mitt Romney’s public events of the day.
• Dissecting the case behind increasing the minimum wage, syndicated columnist Mona Charen noted NCPA research on Jan. 29 that showed there are better ways to improve incomes of the poor.
• In twin appearances on CNBC’s Power Lunch Jan. on 16 and 18, Burnett discussed how recent attacks on “big oil” by the new Congress amount to extortion.
• Columnist Greg Karp reported on a study by Herrick that shows patients can save considerably on drug costs by being wise consumers.  Karp’s column appeared Jan. 22 in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Jan. 21 in the Baltimore Sun, Chicago Tribune, Orlando Sentinel, Hartford Courant, Daily Press and Morning Call.  It also appeared Feb. 11 in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
• In response to news that overall health care spending declined to its lowest level since 1999, Goodman noted that the decline is due to empowered consumers, particularly in the area of prescription drugs.  Goodman’s comments were mentioned Jan. 15 in several of the nation’s business journals, including Buffalo Business First, Charlotte Business Journal, Dayton Business Journal and the Houston Business Journal.
• Columnist Peter Pitts noted in the Jan. 12 Asbury Park (NJ) Press that NCPA research shows having Medicare-negotiated prescription drug prices probably won’t lower them.
• In a special article for the Feb. 2007 edition of Health Care News, Herrick wrote that savvy consumerism is the antidote to high drug prices.
• McTeer told the Dallas Morning News on Jan. 18 that the consumer price index (CPI) is the most important index that the Fed looks at.
• On Jan. 12 McTeer appeared on Bloomberg TV to discuss the regional impact of raising the minimum wage based on local cost-of-living.  McTeer noted the cost of raising the wage will be mostly felt by interior states that have a lower cost-of-living.  The NCPA’s analysis of the minimum wage also appeared in the Jan. 19 St. Joseph News-Press, the Jan. 21 Daily Herald and the Jan. 22 Daily Breeze.
• Goodman told KRLD-AM (Dallas, TX) on Jan. 24 that Bush’s health care plan redistributes tax benefits from the haves to the have-nots.
• On Jan. 12, Radio show host Mike Rosen noted in a special column for the Denver Rocky Mountain News that NCPA research shows the often reported number of medically uninsured is higher than the actual number of long-term uninsured.
• The Jan. 9 Chicago Tribune noted scholars from the NCPA’s E-Team who explained the extent to which human activity is causing global warming is not known.
• Goodman told the Associated Press on Jan. 26 that President Bush’s health care plan would level the playing field between those who receive subsidized health insurance through an employer and those who do not.  This article appeared in numerous papers across the country.
• In a Jan. 15 letter to the Houston Chronicle, Herrick noted that moving to a national single-payer health care system would be several steps in the wrong direction.
• In a Jan. 13 letter to the Baltimore Sun, Herrick pointed out the problems associated with expanding Medicaid.
• Burnett told the Jan. 1 edition of the Press of Atlantic City that while the Earth may be warming it is not clear whether or not humans are the sole catalyst.
• Herrick told the Jan. 4 Terry Lowery Show on Houston’s KTEK-AM that Canadians face long waits for medical care.  Herrick expanded on these thoughts in a special article for the Jan. 2007 edition of Health Care News.
• In another special article for the Jan. 2007 edition of Health Care News, Herrick wrote that Wal-Mart drug discounts increase competition and lower prices.

• While business and government leaders complain about the lack of price and quality information in health care and pursue government-based health reforms to increase access and set prices, this new NCPA study says the complainers are causing the problems they are so vexed about.  Read: The Market for Medical Care at: http://www.ncpa.org/pub/st/st296/
• In less than two decades, half of everything seniors consume may be health care, according to this new NCPA study.  For today's oldest seniors, this has already happened. Read: The Rising Burden of Health Spending on Seniors at: http://www.ncpa.org/pub/st/st297/st297.pdf
• This study, released jointly by the NCPA, the Milton and Rose D. Friedman Foundation and the Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options (Hispanic CREO), shows that this year’s class of high school drop outs in Texas will cost the state’s taxpayers $377 million per year over their lifetimes.  Read: The High Cost of Failing to Reform Public Education in Texas at: http://www.friedmanfoundation.org/
• Government has poorly managed the public’s natural resources as it struggles to balance public land uses, such as logging and recreation, with preservation of lands in their original state, according to this new NCPA report.  As a result, public lands have been degraded and the wildlife that depends on them destroyed.  Read: Protecting the Environment Through Ownership -- Part Two at: http://www.ncpa.org/pub/st/st295/st295.pdf
• A quarter-century ago, Chile replaced its traditional social security system with personal retirement accounts funded by workers and invested in stocks and bonds.  Chile's president recently proposed several modifications to its pension system, including a new retirement benefit funded by general government revenues.  Long-time critics of Chile's pension system have been quick to claim the proposed reforms are proof of the system's failure.  Yet according to this new NCPA Brief Analysis, the critics fail to distinguish between a system that functions well for contributors versus one that is designed to give benefits to noncontributors.  Read: Pension Reform in Chile: Closing the Gap, Not Scrap at: http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba/ba583/
• Can the economy grow faster without causing inflation to accelerate? Some argue that the downside of a rapidly rising gross domestic product (GDP) is more inflation, and that one can't have more of the former without more of the latter.  This new NCPA Brief Analysis says both logic and history suggest otherwise.  Read: Economic Growth Without Inflation at: http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba/ba582/
• American and world fisheries have entered a period of rapid and unprecedented decline, according to this new NCPA Brief Analysis.  To halt the slide, government should treat fish the same way it treats livestock -- as private property.  Read: Ocean Fisheries: Common Heritage or Tragic Commons? at: http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba/ba581/
• The Texas Legislature is now in session.  This NCPA Brief Analysis suggests several radical reforms they should consider.  Read: Twelve Reform Steps for Texas at: http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba/ba580/
• The Bush health plan has drawn praise from the right and the left.  It gets high marks from the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution, as well as the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute. Yet the critics have been quite vocal.  This NCPA Brief Analysis examines the merits to their complaints.  Read: Answering the Critics of the Bush Health Plan at: http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba/ba579/
• President Bush made three bold health policy proposals in his State of the Union message.  This NCPA Brief Analysis explains the details of the plan.  Read: The Bush Health Plan at: http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba/ba578/
• Polls show most Americans believe air pollution: 1) has been steady or rising during the last few decades, 2) will worsen in the future and 3) is a serious threat to people's health.  Yet according to this NCPA Brief Analysis, current air pollution levels are not the cause of high asthma rates.  Thus, focusing regulatory efforts on tightening air pollution standards to combat asthma diverts research resources away from understanding the real causes of asthma and developing possible cures.  Read: Breathe Easy on Air Quality  at: http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba/ba577/

• A likely agenda item for newly elected Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is to have Medicare negotiate prescription drug prices.  Yet this Brief Analysis shows there may be a better way to lower prices and costs – the Internet.  Read: Seniors' Drug Costs: Government Versus the Internet at: http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba/ba576/
• This Brief Analysis notes there are several good reasons why allowing the government to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies may not lead to lower prices than those achieved by private drug plans.  Read: Medicare: Negotiated Drug Prices May Not Lower Costs at: http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba/ba575/ba575.pdf

First Quarter 2007: Report to Donors | Clip Highlights | Activites | Quarterly Reports Home