Federal spending mandated by our major entitlement programs (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid) today comprises the majority of the federal budget and will bankrupt the United States absent imminent structural reforms.
Not only do these entitlement programs drain federal spending dollars, but they don’t do a particularly good job of delivering promised services and benefits. Social Security provides a shameful rate of return for most recipients, especially when compared with private sector alternatives. And seniors and the poor are finding it increasingly difficult to find a doctor who will accept Medicare or Medicaid patients.
IPI has proposed specific, concrete solutions that would not only make these programs solvent and sustainable, but also deliver superior benefits. Entitlements should not be reformed solely for the benefit of the federal government, but also for the benefit of taxpayers and recipients.
The Democratic Convention Will Be a Buffet of Vote-Buying and Phony Promises
This year’s convention is set to be a four-day effort to buy votes with taxpayer and employer money.
Paul Ryan's Anti-Poverty Plan Will Help The Poor, But The Welfare Lobby Will Fight It
The biggest resistance to adopting a “workfare” system isn’t from welfare recipients, but from bureaucrats and the welfare lobby who benefit from keeping the poor dependent on government.
The Swiss Said No To A Guaranteed Income - Conservatives Should Too
The Swiss rejected a guaranteed basic income, and the U.S.—and especially conservatives—should do so too.
President Obama Asked Us To Fact-Check His Recent Economic Speech, So We Did
He tells a good story about his economic policies—perhaps because no one else will.
The Push for Later Social Security Retirement Ignores Seniors' Financial Needs
Some want to push back Social Security's retirement date; the problem is that the large majority of seniors take Social Security benefits early—because they need the money.
Our Soldiers Face the Enemy and Then They Face the VA
Instead of the VA becoming more like the private system, thanks to Obamacare the private system is becoming more like the VA.
Bold Policy Reforms for the 2016 Election
Challenging times require bold reforms, but very few political candidates have proposed any. With this paper we try to fill that gap by identifying five reforms that would solve current problems, spur economic growth and return power and money to the states and the people.
Five Bold Policy Reforms 2016 Candidates Should Embrace
House Speaker Paul Ryan says Republican candidates are looking for bold policy reforms. IPI has responded with proposals that reduce the size and scope of government, empower people and states to make their own decisions, and keep more money in the private sector rather than the public sector.
Cut the Minimum Wage for the 1 Million Losing Food Stamps
The price of their labor is the only thing low- or no-skilled workers have to bargain with. Let the unemployed food stamp recipients work for less than the minimum wage and maybe they will be able to get a job.
Why Losing Welfare Benefits Helps Welfare Recipients
As an Oregon welfare reform pilot program demonstrated in the 1990s, when people looking for welfare benefits were told they would have to work for their benefits, about a third walked out saying if they had to work they’d find their own job.
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