Reforming health-care has been a perennial goal of American politicians. Many of these attempts have fallen short. Why is expanding access, improving care, and keeping costs down so hard? This brief provides an overview of the main issues. Subsequent briefs will address specific programs and proposals.

Since the COVID pandemic, official reports show strong job growth in America. However, jobs data released in mid-2024 led some financial analysts to argue that much of the increase was due to hiring by the federal government. If this is true, then the apparent strength of the American economy does not reflect actual business conditions. Rather, it is the result of federal government actions that artificially create the illusion of economic strength.

Since the end of the COVID pandemic in 2021, migrants have entered the United States in unprecedented numbers. Several well-publicized cases of violent crimes committed by recent migrants raise the question of whether the migration spike has led to overall higher crime rates in the communities where these individuals live. This brief explores this question.