Welfare

Giving No Credit Where It Is Due: Social Security Disability

The disability insurance component of the U.S. Social Security system is funded by a 1.8 percent payroll tax. It pays benefits to disabled adults who have earned a required number of credits based on…
Welfare Reform in Indiana

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has signed an agreement to outsource the administration of health, welfare and nutrition programs to a consortium led by the IBM Corporation and Affiliated Computer Services…
Chile's Answer to Rising U.S. Disability Costs

Americans are living longer and are healthier than previous generations, yet the number of workers receiving disability benefits is increasing. In fact, disability is the fastest-rising component of S…
Integrated Disability and Retirement Systems in Chile

People are living longer and healthier lives, yet disability benefits are the fastest growing portion of social security expenditures in the United States and many other countries.  What can be done t…
SCHIP Expansion: Robin Hood in Reverse

The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which covers 6.7 million children and adults, will expire in September. SCHIP consists of 50 different federal-state health plans for children (a…
Workers' Compensation: Rx for Policy Reform

Workers' compensation is the oldest government-mandated employee benefit program in the United States.  Costs are increasing because state systems provide incentives for employers, employees and other…
e-Welfare Reform

Texas is blazing a new trail in welfare reform that will improve access to more than 50 different programs, while reducing administrative costs. The state is using modern technology and private contra…
A New Frontier for Welfare Reform

In a major step forward for welfare reform, Texas is about to roll out an ambitious program using private contractors to streamline the process of applying for public health and welfare programs. The…