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Special interests hold up Medicaid drug reform

May 4, 2012 Comments off

Special interests hold up Medicaid drug reform
Source: National Center for Policy Analysis

By obstructing state efforts to reform Medicaid drug programs, lobbyists drive up taxpayer costs, according to a new study by the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA).

The study notes that groups, such as pharmacy trade associations, frequently oppose the efforts of individual states to let privately run, Medicaid drug plans negotiate dispensing fees with participating pharmacies, even though the savings can be tremendous.

“For example, Wal-Mart and other major retailers sell hundreds of generic drugs for $4 per prescription; this includes the dispensing fee and the drug itself, said NCPA Senior Fellow Devon Herrick. “So why do Alabama, Alaska and Oregon pay more than $10 to $14 for each Rx dispensing fee, in addition to the cost of the drug?”

The answer, said Herrick, is “lobbyists, drug store and other special interests want to maintain the status quo.”

Points from State Reform of Medicaid Drug Programs include:

  • Drug spending is one of the fastest growing components of the Medicaid program
  • Medicaid spending will increase significantly because of the Affordable Care Act
  • How to cut costs through competitive market rates for dispensing drugs and more use of generic drugs over brand name.

+ Full Report

Categories: government and politics, health care reform, Medicare and Medicaid, National Center for Policy Analysis

New EPA Air Regs Will Cost Billions Of Dollars

August 17, 2011 Comments off

New EPA Air Regs Will Cost Billions Of Dollars
Source: National Center for Policy Analysis

Four new clean air regulations that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed or finalized will further stifle struggling economic recovery efforts, according to two new reports released today by the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA).

“The EPA is in the process of codifying and finalizing a whole slate of new air quality rules, the sheer number and economic impact of which have not been seen at any time in the EPA’s history,” said NCPA Senior Fellow H. Sterling Burnett.

“The new standards for ozone, mercury, other toxics and greenhouse gases will have an unprecedented negative impact on the U.S. economy,” said Burnett. “Millions more people will be put out of work by 2020. Cities and counties could well bankrupt themselves trying to meet the new standards. The local tax bases will shrink as businesses cut staff or move.

The new air quality regulations include:

  • Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
    <liMercury and Air Toxics Standards
    <liStricter Ozone Standards (video)
    <liExpensive Greenhouse Gas Regulations

Burnett said that the regulations are overkill because, under the current standard, levels of ozone and pollutants that combine to form ozone are already so low that they have no effect on human health.

+ Part One (PDF)
+ Part Two (PDF)

Categories: business and economics, environment, government and politics, legal and law enforcement, National Center for Policy Analysis

Government Poverty-Fighting Programs Fail Poor

August 12, 2011 Comments off

Government Poverty-Fighting Programs Fail Poor
Source: National Center for Policy Analysis

Poorly designed government regulations are blocking many private sector assistance options that could provide essential services to the poor almost immediately, according to a new report from the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA).

The report, by a task force of experts, examines five essential services: transportation, child care, security, housing and health care.

“Residents understand the problems in their own communities. Local entrepreneurs should be allowed to provide better service solutions at lower costs, as well as new products and services tailored to the community needs,” said NCPA Senior Fellow and report editor Roger Koppl. Too many one-size-fits-all regulations are stifling innovative ideas that improve quality of life in low-income areas where they’re needed most.”

Former Delaware Governor and NCPA Board Chairman Pete du Pont has noted that enterprise programs can “create job opportunities for those who face the greatest barriers to
employment.”

“This report suggests an approach that doesn’t require a massive spending program; in fact it uses private sector capital and talent,” added du Pont. “It does not require top-down direction from Washington; it can be implemented locally, by citizens, public officials and businesses working in concert.”

+ Full Report (PDF)

Categories: business and economics, children and families, government and politics, housing and real estate, labor, National Center for Policy Analysis, poverty, social and cultural issues, transportation and travel

Small Business and Employee Retirement Savings Plans

February 16, 2011 Comments off

Small Business and Employee Retirement Savings Plans
Source: National Center for Policy Analysis

Over several decades, employer-provided pension plans have played a diminishing role in employees retirement incomes. “Defined benefit” plans provide a post-retirement income based on a worker’s earnings history and tenure. But defined benefit pensions now cover only 20 percent of private-sector employees – just half the rate of three decades ago.

+ Full Document (PDF)

Categories: investments, National Center for Policy Analysis, retirement, small business and entrepreneurship
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