Federal Policy

Tackling the federal budget deficit without significant new revenue could cost Missouri more than $3.4 billion between 2013 and 2021, damaging ecoomic recovery and future growth by drastically cutting federal investments in schools, roads & bridges, safe communities, and Read More

Tackling the federal budget deficit without significant new revenue could cost Missouri more than $3.4 billion between 2013 and 2021, damaging ecoomic recovery and future growth by drastically cutting federal investments in schools, roads & bridges, safe communities, and Read More

Today the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act, though it did rule that states are not compelled to participate in its Medicaid expansion provisions.  Click here to learn more about the fiscal impact for Missouri.  Read More

On August 2nd, the nation will reach its statutory debt ceiling. Some policymakers are proposing to use this looming deadline as an opportunity to include dangerous fiscal policy proposals in the debt ceiling legislation, including global spending caps and balanced budget Read More

Policymakers have proposed several plans to reduce deficits and stablize the national debt. This paper reviews the various recommendations and discusses core principles that should guide public discussions about the nation’s fiscal health.  To learn more, click here. Read More

As federal policymakers discuss current and future budgets, there has been significant discussion about deficits and debt.  While the consequences of federal deficits are a concern, it is the long-term national debt that poses the greatest threat to economic prospects.  Read More

One of the goals of the Affordable Care Act passed last year is to strengthen protection for consumers and to assure a good value for their health dollar.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued regulations requiring insurers to spend a certain percentage of Read More

Unless Congress acts, federal extended unemployment benefits will end on November 30. Two million Americans and more than 44,000 Missourians will lose the benefits that help them keep food on the table, pay their rent or mortgage and keep utilities connected. Click here to to Read More

Resolving concern about the burden of paperwork for small businesses could undermine the positive impact of health care reform by raising insurance premiums, increasing the number of uninsured and eliminating preventive health funding.  To read how these seemingly unrelated Read More

The federal health care bills signed in March 2010 will begin to fix much of what is wrong with the current health care system. Of course, it cannot all happen at one time. Click here to read a short summary that shows when some of the important changes began and when others will Read More