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Connecting today’s news with the research & opinion you need.

Disrupting Bad Policy

What to Know: Famed economist Art Laffer says the health care industry needs disruption—and President Trump’s work to make prices more transparent could bring that about.

The TPPF Take: The more transparency, the better.

“In a free market, price is considered to be like the central nervous system,” says TPPF’s David Balat. “It responds with great immediacy to market forces, and adjusts to fluctuations in supply and demand. Restoring price transparency will help restore the heart of health care, which is the doctor and patient relationship.”

Ain’t Got No Home

What to Know: Amid a severe housing shortage, California continues to make it more difficult to build new homes.

The TPPF Take: If you want more affordable housing, you make it easier to build new homes—not more difficult to invest in them.

“Government-caused artificial scarcity of housing is the main reason why California has the nation’s highest Supplemental Poverty rate,” says TPPF’s Chuck DeVore. “Californians need less regulation, not more.”

Winter Chill

What to Know: Even as winter temperatures drop, Democratic presidential frontrunner Sen. Bernie Sanders says he wants to ban hydraulic fracturing (fracking), the process that has led to an abundance of affordable energy to keep American families warm.

The TPPF Take: Abundant, affordable energy keeps families safe and warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

“It’s clear that high energy prices have a measurable effect on health and mortality,” says TPPF’s Katie Tahuahua. “That’s why we must oppose policies—such as a ban on fracking—that would drive up the cost of electricity and fuels. Instead, let’s encourage American innovation and energy independence.”