Needle Exchange Programs: Benefits and Challenges
Needle exchange programs are a proven means of reducing the spread of HIV and hepatitis among intravenous drug users. They are endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the surgeon general of the United States, the World Health Organization, the American Public Health Association, and the American Medical Association. Nevertheless, needle exchange programs are legally permitted to operate in only 30 states and the District of Columbia. Critics of needle exchange programs claim they “enable” or “endorse” illicit drug use. “Not‐in‐my‐backyard” attitudes fuel opposition in local communities. Experts came to Cato to discuss the efficacy and role of this harm‐reduction strategy as well as the political challenges to its widespread adoption.
Unplugging the Third Rail: Choices for Affordable Medicare
Medicare expenditures as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) are now six times larger than they were in 1967. Without intervention, Medicare’s share of GDP will force some combination of substantial cuts in other government spending, significantly higher taxes, and unhealthy levels of public debt. A new paper by John F. Early identifies the minimum changes required to prevent further expansion of Medicare’s share of GDP, while retaining the existing structure of the program.
The ACA’s Pre‐existing Condition Regulations Lose Support When the Public Learns the Cost
Days before the 2018 midterms, 68% of voters say that health care is very or extremely important to how they plan to vote in this year’s elections, according to a new Cato 2018 Health Care Survey of 2,498 Americans. The survey also finds that public support for pre‐existing condition regulation drops from 65% in favor to less than half once trade‐offs and costs are considered, which goes against the widespread perception among the political punditry that pre‐existing condition regulations are necessarily and universally supported by voters across the political spectrum.
Experts
