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Policy Archive

Archives for December 2019

The extraordinary danger of being pregnant and uninsured in Texas
Science

The state’s system for helping the uninsured thwarts women at every turn and encourages subpar care.

By Julia Belluz and Nina Martin
The real differences between the 2020 Democrats’ health care plans, explained
Politics

I read the 2020 Democratic candidates’ health care plans. Here’s what they do.

By Dylan Scott
Politics
The Republican judges who were widely expected to kill Obamacare got cold feetThe Republican judges who were widely expected to kill Obamacare got cold feet
Politics

Sometimes, people who stare into the abyss blink.

By Ian Millhiser
Politics
New Jersey just became the 15th state to pass a bill letting unauthorized immigrants obtain driver’s licensesNew Jersey just became the 15th state to pass a bill letting unauthorized immigrants obtain driver’s licenses
Politics

Almost 50% of unauthorized immigrants nationwide can now apply for a driver’s license.

By Nicole Narea
Politics
Almost 90 years after Prohibition, some places are still dry. Why is that?Almost 90 years after Prohibition, some places are still dry. Why is that?
Politics

How Prohibition lives on in counties across the nation.

By Matthew Zeitlin
Politics
A CT scan costs $1,100 in the US — and $140 in HollandA CT scan costs $1,100 in the US — and $140 in Holland
Politics

America’s health care prices problem, in four charts.

By Dylan Scott
Politics
Healthcare.gov glitches almost ruined the end of open enrollment. Is there a better way?Healthcare.gov glitches almost ruined the end of open enrollment. Is there a better way?
Politics

Auto enrollment, premium surcharges, and single-payer could be alternatives to open enrollment.

By Dylan Scott
How a denial of tenure at Harvard became a national controversy
Politics

The decision is a blow to ethnic studies departments everywhere.

By Jonita Davis
How McKinsey infiltrated the world of global public health
Science

The Gates Foundation brought billions of dollars to the sector — and a business-friendly ethos consultants could exploit.

By Julia Belluz and Marine Buissonniere
Politics
The turf war between Trump’s top 2 health care officials, explainedThe turf war between Trump’s top 2 health care officials, explained
Politics

Alex Azar and Seema Verma were called to the White House to settle their feud.

By Dylan Scott
Politics
The House just passed an ambitious bill to lower prescription drug pricesThe House just passed an ambitious bill to lower prescription drug prices
Politics

Progressives played a major role in shaping the final version of the legislation.

By Li Zhou
Politics
The House passed a bipartisan bill that could legalize 325,000 unauthorized immigrantsThe House passed a bipartisan bill that could legalize 325,000 unauthorized immigrants
Politics

23 Republicans voted to bring farmworkers out of the shadow economy.

By Nicole Narea
Politics
Trump wants to call Mexican drug cartels “terrorist organizations”Trump wants to call Mexican drug cartels “terrorist organizations”
Politics

It would undermine US-Mexican efforts to combat them.

By Nicole Narea
Politics
Joe Biden’s immigration plan, explainedJoe Biden’s immigration plan, explained
Politics

It starts reckoning with the Obama administration’s legacy, but stops short of some big progressive reforms.

By Nicole Narea
Politics
There’s a conservative civil war raging — over pornThere’s a conservative civil war raging — over porn
Politics

The stakes are lot bigger than they might seem.

By Jane Coaston