Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Policy Archive

Archives for July 2019

Politics
Study: the US could have averted about 15,600 deaths if every state expanded MedicaidStudy: the US could have averted about 15,600 deaths if every state expanded Medicaid
Politics

The real impact of Republican’s rejection of Medicaid expansion under Obamacare.

By Tara Golshan
Politics
The science of regrettable decisionsThe science of regrettable decisions
Politics

A doctor explains how our brains can trick us into making bad choices — and how to fight back.

By Robert Pearl
Vox’s guide to where 2020 Democrats stand on policy
Kamala Harris just introduced a bill to decriminalize marijuanaKamala Harris just introduced a bill to decriminalize marijuana
Vox’s guide to where 2020 Democrats stand on policy

She’s also proposing a federal tax that would generate revenue to help people convicted of marijuana possession in the past.

By Li Zhou
Culture
Ai Weiwei on the global refugee crisis, the Chinese movie industry, and his new filmAi Weiwei on the global refugee crisis, the Chinese movie industry, and his new film
Culture

Why China’s best-known artist — and director of the acclaimed 2017 film Human Flow — returned to the subject of migration for The Rest.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Politics
Who should get the HPV vaccine? The recommendations keep changing.Who should get the HPV vaccine? The recommendations keep changing.
Politics

The HPV vaccine is now recommended for some people as old as 45.

By Julia Belluz
Future Perfect
Mark Kleiman, who changed the way we think about crime and drugs, has died at 68Mark Kleiman, who changed the way we think about crime and drugs, has died at 68
Future Perfect

RIP Mark Kleiman, one of our best criminal justice scholars and my friend.

By German Lopez
Laboratories of Democracy: what Seattle learned from having the highest minimum wage in the nation
Policy

The city adopted a $15 minimum wage four years ago. Here’s what happened.

By Matthew Zeitlin
Explainers
Immigrants are skipping reproductive health care because they’re afraid of being deportedImmigrants are skipping reproductive health care because they’re afraid of being deported
Explainers

In the Trump era, news of ICE raids and family separation are shaping people’s reproductive lives.

By Anna North
Gender
Police posted thousands of offensive memes on Facebook. Now some of them are being fired.Police posted thousands of offensive memes on Facebook. Now some of them are being fired.
Gender

Philadelphia is firing 13 officers for racist Facebook posts. Other departments could soon follow.

By P.R. Lockhart
Politics
What can be done right now to stop a basic source of health care fraudWhat can be done right now to stop a basic source of health care fraud
Politics

There are simple fixes that would make it more difficult for scammers to operate.

By Marshall Allen
Politics
What economists have gotten wrong for decadesWhat economists have gotten wrong for decades
Politics

Four economic ideas disproven by reality.

By Jared Bernstein
Health insurers make it easy for scammers to steal millions. Who pays? You.
Science

Insurers are regarded as defenders of health care dollars, but the case of David Williams shows how they allow costs to rise.

By Marshall Allen
Technology
Presidential candidate Michael Bennet is way behind in the polls. But he believes he can win the nomination — and beat Trump.Presidential candidate Michael Bennet is way behind in the polls. But he believes he can win the nomination — and beat Trump.
Podcast
Technology

“If history is any guide, the people that are leading the race today are not going to be the nominee.”

By Eric Johnson
Politics
One of John Paul Stevens’s last big ideas: repealing the 2nd AmendmentOne of John Paul Stevens’s last big ideas: repealing the 2nd Amendment
Politics

The former Supreme Court justice was a Republican. But he took a pretty bold position on guns.

By German Lopez
Criminal Justice
“They have let us down”: Eric Garner’s family criticizes decision not to indict NYPD officer“They have let us down”: Eric Garner’s family criticizes decision not to indict NYPD officer
Criminal Justice

The Department of Justice investigated Garner’s death for years.

By P.R. Lockhart