For over three decades, CEI has advocated health care reforms that put more power in the hands of consumers to choose their health providers, treatment protocols, and scope of insurance coverage. We have advocated reform of the Food and Drug Administration’s drug and device approval process to allow for greater flexibility and patient choice. And in 2013, CEI organized the court challenges to Obamacare’s exchange subsidies that concluded with the Supreme Court’s King v. Burwell decision.
Healthcare Issue Areas
Featured Posts
Blog
Trump’s State of the Union: A closer look at the claims
Last night, President Trump delivered a State of the Union address filled with optimism, applause lines, and bold claims about the country’s direction. There…
Citation
‘Just the beginning of enormous growth’: White House heralds strong jobs report
The Black Chronicle cited CEI’s expert on job growth in healthcare Senior Economist with the Competitive Enterprise Institute Ryan Young also interpreted the siloed…
Blog
FDA’s Moderna decision demonstrates how science and government are incompatible
Last week, the FDA announced that it would not be considering Moderna’s application for a new flu vaccine because the control group Moderna used…
Search Posts
Newsletter
House Health Care, Swine Flu and Emissions Trading in Europe
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveils the Democrats’ proposal for health care legislation. President Obama declares a spread of swine flu a “national…
Blog
Here’s the House health care reform bill, catering to the public’s right to know
Everything you need to know, right here. And the best part is, it’s only 1,990 pages long! Print it out and read it during…
Citation
Premiums to Skyrocket Under ObamaCare
News Release
House Health Care Bill Threatens Patient Care
House Health Care Bill Threatens Patient Care Democratic Plan Would Erode Consumer Control Of Health Care Washington, D.C., October 29, 2009—Speaker of the House…
Newsletter
Nuclear Power, Lieberman on Health Care and Building Cleantech
Democrats consider adding incentives for new nuclear power facilities to their existing cap and trade bill. Sen. Joe Lieberman’s defection from the Democratic caucus on…
Newsletter
Pay Cuts for Wall Street, Required Window Glazing and the New Public Option
The White House “pay czar” plans to cut paychecks for top bank executives by 50%. Environmental regulators in California move to require all cars sold…
Blog
“Public Option” Is a Gimmick That Won’t Improve Healthcare
In the Washington Post, Robert J. Samuelson explains in the “Public Plan Mirage” how the so-called “public option” contained in congressional health-care reform bills…
Investor's Business Daily
The Administration’s Flu Fear-Mongering
‘In keeping with the administration’s proactive approach” to swine flu, the White House has announced that President Obama has declared the disease “a national emergency.”…
Newsletter
Health Care Competition, Financial Regulations in Court and Net Neutrality
The House Judiciary Committee votes to strip antitrust protections from health insurance companies who share risk information. Prominent officials and scholars endorse CEI’s Supreme Court…
Blog
A Cure Worse than the Disease
As I explain in a new CEI paper, which is out today, most of the alleged cost-cutting measures in the Baucus bill merely shift costs…
Study
A Cure Worse than the Disease
Obama Care Won’t Cut Costs, But May Cut Quality…
News Release
New Report: Finance Committee Health Care Bill is a Cure Worse than the Disease
New Report: Finance Committee Health Care Bill is a Cure Worse than the Disease Baucus Proposal Won’t Cut Costs, But May Cut Quality…
Blog
More Hypocrisy Regarding FTC Blog Regulations
Michael Masnick at Techdirt offers up another incidence of government inconsistency in light of the FTC’s blog-watching rules, reminding us that “…
Blog
Is Cognitive Dissonance an Insured Condition?
Rep. Diana DeGette is proposing: 1)That health insurers' antitrust exemption be removed. 2) Require, by law, that people buy health insurance. What one hand giveth,…
News Release
Repeal of Insurance Antitrust Exemption Threatens Competition
Repeal of Insurance Antitrust Exemption Threatens Competition Patients Brace for Higher Prices, Raw Deal Washington, D.C., October 21, 2009—The House Judiciary Committee voted on…
Blog
Health Insurer Competition and Democratic Saber Rattling
Last week, after the industry association America’s Health Insurance Plans released a study showing that premiums would rise 18 percent under the Senate Finance Committee’s…
Investor's Business Daily
Obamacare May Be Unconstitutional
Newsletter
Global Warming Data, Estimating Health Care Costs and Pulling Down Trade Barriers
Critics question the disappearance of scientific data used to make global warming predictions. The Congressional Budget Office releases new cost estimates for competing health care…
Blog
Robert Reich Gets It
Some of the consequences of increasing government’s role in health care are easy predict.
Blog
New Version of Obama Health-Care Plan Relies on Imaginary Savings, Costs More Than $2 Trillion, and Will Explode Federal and State Budget Deficits
Health-care “reform” always costs more than predicted, as ObamaCare provisions have at the state level. So the claim that the new, cheaper version…
Newsletter
Big Screen Ban, U.S. Chamber Politics and Silencing Science
California poised to ban the sale of big-screen televisions. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce launches a new initiative to defend free enterprise and create jobs.
Blog
Madison on National Health Care Reform
Here is the letter I wrote that appeared in the Los Angeles Times in response to Erwin Chemerinsky’s article on the constitutionality of…
Blog
Silencing Criticism through Libel Law
The physicist turned science journalist Simon Singh has been sued in a UK court and, this past summer, found liable for libel for an April…
Newsletter
Health Care, Climate Change and Nobel Economics
The Senate Finance Committee approves major new health care legislation. Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) write an op-ed for the New York…
Investor's Business Daily
“Gifted Hands” Surgeon Rips into Obamacare
As the Senate Finance Committee completed its work on a bill that would greatly expand the government’s role in health care – requiring nearly…
New York Times
Identity Chip Planted Under Skin Approved for Use in Health Care
The New York Times discusses implantible chips used for medical reasons with Wayne Crews. ''The fact that we're engaged in such a deep,…
Blog
Senate Finance Passes Health Reform Bill
Earlier today, Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Me.) announced that she would vote in favor of the health care reform bill authored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman…
Blog
Regulation of the Day 59: Pharmacy Interns in Colorado
It is illegal to intern for a pharmacist in Colorado without a license.
Newsletter
Climate Negotiations, Senate Health Care and the Nobel Prize
Climate negotiators attempt to reach an agreement ahead of UN-sponsored talks in December. The Senate Finance Committee prepares to vote on health…
News Release
Moderates Should Be Cautious on Health Care Reform
The Senate Finance Committee today approved new health care legislation by a 14 to 9 vote and reported it out to the full Senate. All…
Blog
Markets vs. Special Interests
"It is precisely the fact that the market does not respect vested interests that makes the people concerned ask for government interference."…
Blog
New ObamaCare Version Claims Not to Increase Federal Deficit, But It Explodes State Deficits, and Relies on Mythical Savings and Unlikely Medicare Cuts
Democrats are cheering a Congressional Budget Office decision to “score” the Senate Finance Committee’s version of ObamaCare as not increasing the federal budget deficit. But…
Blog
CBO report: new taxes will balance Baucus health care bill
Those pushing the Senate health care bill were ecstatic when the Congressional Budget Office reported that the bill “would result in a net…
Newsletter
Billions for Health Care, Failing Detroit and a Supreme Court Review
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that a leading Democratic health care proposal would cost $829 billion over ten years. Residents and observers debate the reputation…
Blog
Obamacare’s Provisions Have Already Been Tried, and Failed, at the State Level
The major provisions of ObamaCare already have been tried. They've led to increased costs and reduced access to care" for people who once had private…
Newsletter
Retail Prices, Utility Politics and Swine Flu
The Maryland legislature bans manufacturers from setting minimum retail prices for their products. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist plays hardball with the state’s public utilities. Doctors…
Study
FDA and Internet Advertising
The Medium is the Message…
Newsletter
Climate Science Destroyed, Online Drug Advertising and Opposing Net Neutrality
A government-funded research center destroys the original data behind its predictions of global warming. The Food and Drug Administrations seeks input about online advertising of…
Newsletter
A Swine Flu Vaccine, Rising Unemployment and Limits on Executive Pay
The federal government launches a swine flu vaccine campaign. Alan Greenspan predicts increased economic growth, but also rising unemployment. The White House moves to limit…
Blog
Video Response to Will Ferrell MoveOn.org: People Are Saying Mean Things About Big Government!
Remember that Will Ferrell, celebrity-packed video on Obamacare last month? The one from MoveOn.org? One of those “we’re from Hollywood, and we’re here to…
News Release
FDA Urged to Reconsider Internet Drug Advertising Rules
FDA Urged to Reconsider Internet Drug Advertising Rules Agency Harms Consumers With ‘1960s Approach’ to Online Ads Washington, D.C., October 6, 2009—A new…
Washington Examiner
Media’s Homers Yawn as Obama Cons
Blog
Big Labor’s Big Prize in Health Care “Reform”
In his Wall Street Journal column today, Holman Jenkins highlights one of the prizes at stake for organized labor in the current health care…
Blog
Senate Finance Committee Rejects Public Option
Liberal Democrats are fuming. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal.) and House Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Cal.) remain committed to a "public option". President Obama…
Blog
Cutting Off Funds to ACORN Is Constitutional, and Would Protect Against Voter and Financial Fraud
Earlier, ACORN was caught in a scandal, promoting child prostitution. Both Houses of Congress voted to cut off federal funds to ACORN. Rep. Barney…
Blog
Weekly Flu Watch – What Swine Flu ISN’T Doing This Week
Every Friday the CDC website publishes a situation update on swine flu with figures updated through the previous week, though some of the data…
Washington Examiner
Meryl’s Mad Green Meanderings about Julia
In the new movie "Julie & Julia," Meryl Streep does well portraying the late Julia Child, but one can say Streep also benefits from…
Blog
Obama Slaps Unconstitutional Gag Order on Critic of His Health Care Plan
While Obama ally ACORN attempts to gag whistleblowers who exposed its role in a recent scandal, the Obama administration is trying to gag…
Blog
Obama Losing Youth on Health Care
The National Journal had an interesting article this week describing the difficulty Democrats have been having getting young adults interested in the health care debate.
Blog
ACORN Sues Whistleblowers for Exposing Its Wrongdoing in Scandal
ACORN is now suing the whistleblowers who allegedly filmed it promoting illegal sexual activities for $2 million! And not just them, but…
Blog
Hard-Left Obama Policies Draw Criticism for Undermining Democracy, Security, and the Rule of Law
In his 2008 campaign, Barack Obama talked a lot about “bipartisanship,” but in office, he has governed from the far left, on both domestic and…
Blog
Yet Another ACORN Scandal
ACORN, which had its housing funds cut-off by Congress over a recent scandal, is now embroiled in a tax-evasion scandal, reports the…
Blog
Slate’s William Saletan vs. the Food Cops
Slate’s William Saletan has had it with the growing overreach of the food police, a reaction which he acknowledges puts him in unusual company.
Newsletter
Obama at the UN, the Healthcare Tax and the Costs of Cap and Trade
President Obama call for a “new era of global engagement” in addressing climate change and other issues. Economists debate the financial impact that a healthcare…
Blog
ACORN’s Empire Will Expand Under Obama’s Health-Care Plan and Financial Rules
Congress recently voted to cut off federal housing funds to controversial group ACORN. But since most federal money goes to ACORN-related…
Blog
AP: Obama Health-Care Plan Raises Taxes, Breaks Campaign Promises
The Associated Press is now chiding President Obama for falsely claiming that his proposed tax on uninsured people is not a tax. It is…
Blog
ObamaCare’s Smoke and Mirrors: Huge Costs Paid for by Imaginary Savings
Obama’s health care plan uses imaginary savings to finance massive new spending. His claim that it will not increase the deficit is based on the…
Washington Examiner
It’s All About Cost In Health Care Debate
Opposing Views
Obama Wants to Extend Patriot Act – Just Like Bush
People are often surprised to hear how similar President Obama’s policies are to President Bush’s. They shouldn’t be. One may be a Republican and the…
Blog
Democratic Governor Criticizes Deficit-Exploding Obama Health-Care Plan; Middle Class Faces Huge Health and Global-Warming Tax Hikes
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen (D) is criticizing Obama’s health-care plan as “the mother of all unfunded mandates,” saying it will force states to spend…
Newsletter
Cap and Trade Debate, FDA’s Record on Cancer Drugs and Taxing Soda
The release of Treasury Department memos on the cost of a cap and trade system for greenhouse gas emissions creates a furor. Critics assail Richard…
Blog
Public Option Is Not The Worst Aspect Of ObamaCare
"If liberal health-care reform is going to make people better off, why does it require "a very harsh, stiff penalty" to make everyone buy it?…
Blog
Big Health and Energy Tax Increases for the Middle Class from Obama and Liberal Congressmen
Even the trimmed-down version of Obama's health-care plan recently announced by a ranking Senator contains lots of tax increases for the middle class.
Blog
NYT Love Letter to FDA
New York Times reporter Gardiner Harris has a front page article in today's paper on the head of the Food and Drug Administration's Office of…
Newsletter
The Costs of Cap and Trade, Deadly Auto Regulations and Rockefeller on Health Care
The U.S. Treasury Department admits that a “cap and trade” system for regulating greenhouse gas emissions could cost every household $1,761 a year. New fuel…
Newsletter
Obama on Wall Street, EPA Backlash and Health Care Roadblocks
President Obama gives a major speech in New York on the future of Wall Street. The Environmental Protection Agency’s attempt to censor data on global…
Newsletter
Norman Borlaug’s Legacy, Junk Food Science and ACORN’s Shame
Plant scientist Norman Borlaug – Nobel Prize winner and father of the “Green Revolution” – dies at age 95. The Environmental Working Group issues a…
Opposing Views
9/11 Ignored-Obama Undermines Airline and Train Security
In the aftermath of 9/11, Congress foolishly shifted airline security screening to the inept Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which has failed to detect explosive…
Blog
To Heckle the President, or Not?
Politicians make themselves look bad far more effectively than any heckler could. They don’t need the help.
Blog
Fact-Checking Obama’s Health-Care Speech: Many False Claims
In his health-care speech last night, President Obama promised the world, but didn’t explain how he would pay for it. It was all sizzle,…
Newsletter
Obama’s Health Care Speech, Minority Underemployment and Investing in Global Warming
President Obama’s national health care address receives mixed reviews. DC Progress hosts a panel discussion on the problem of “underemployment” among locals in Washington, D.C.
Blog
“ObamaCare’s Crippling Deficits”
Martin Feldstein, an economic advisor to Obama, criticized “ObamaCare’s Crippling Deficits” in Monday’s Wall Street Journal, noting that “the higher taxes, debt payments…
Newsletter
Obama on Health Care, Solar Feuding in the Desert and Julia Child’s Legacy
President Obama prepares for a major speech on health care. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. feuds with fellow environmentalists over the creation of a major solar…
Opposing Views
Obama’s Own Economic Advisor Criticizes Budget Plans
Martin Feldstein, an economic advisor to Obama, criticized “ObamaCare’s Crippling Deficits” in Monday’s Wall Street Journal, noting that “the higher taxes, debt payments and…
Study
Political Malpractice
Most Americans agree that our health care system is broken. But it is increasingly clear that what ails health care is not too little, but…
News Release
Democrat Health Proposals Draw Fire, Institute Offers Alternate Plan
Democrat Health Proposals Draw Fire, Institute Offers Alternate Plan Report Concludes Reform Plans Would Worsen Cost and Coverage Problems Washington, D.C., September 9, 2009—As President…
Opposing Views
Meryl Streep’s Attack on Julia Child Ironic, Ungrateful
In the new movie “Julie & Julia,” Meryl Streep does well portraying the late Julia Child, but one can say Streep also benefits from…
News Release
Institute Condemns FDA Crackdown on Truthful Drug Advertising
The Competitive Enterprise Institute today condemned a recent Food and Drug Administration and Department of Justice crackdown on the dissemination by drug manufacturers of information…
Blog
Matt Taibbi versus Sensible Health Care
In a blog post at Rolling Stone, Journalist In Name Only Matt Taibbi accuses the media of “help[ing] sandbag health care reform.” In the…
Blog
The Starry-Eyed 37 Percent
Some time ago I said that President Bush's chronically low approval ratings were a good thing. Evidence of widespread skepticism about politicians. Or at least…
Blog
No Savings from Preventive Care
A new study published in the journal Health Affairs calls into question claims by congressional Democrats and President Obama that mandatory coverage of preventive care…
Blog
Obama Health-Care Plan Would Drive Up Inflation and Health-Care Costs, Shrink Economy, and Reinforce Worst Features of Status Quo
ObamaCare would shrink the economy, drive up health-care costs and inflation, and increase the deficit, notes David Kopel, a “lifelong Democrat.” Kopel…
Newsletter
Cybersecurity, Consumer Snitching and an Insurance Downgrade
A new bill to would give the White House “cybersecurity emergency” powers. Consumer Reports magazine turns a high-performing showerhead over to the EPA for exceeding…
Opposing Views
Obama Keeps Lying About Health Care, Even After Being Caught
You just can’t trust President Obama’s claims about his health-care plan. He keeps on lying even after he is caught lying and his lies…
Blog
Obama Keeps Lying About His Health-Care Plan, Even After Being Caught by Fact-Checkers
You just can’t trust President Obama’s claims about his health-care plan. He keeps on lying even after he is caught lying and his lies have…
Blog
Ted Kennedy’s Deregulatory Legacy on Airlines and Trucking
Tributes are pouring in for Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy, who lost his battle with brain cancer late Tuesday evening at the age of 77.
Newsletter
Healthcare Complexity, Union Politics and Insurance Markets
Critics question the unwieldy complexity of current healthcare legislation. A compromise version of the so-called “Employee Free Choice Act” gains momentum in Congress. Florida Rep.
Blog
Obama’s Health-Care “Reform” Contains Hidden Tax Penalties for Unsuspecting Taxpayers
ObamaCare won’t just raise taxes on the rich, and impose tax penalties on people without approved health-insurance plans. It will also dramatically…
Newsletter
EPA’s Economists, Healthcare Rallies and the Cash for Clunkers Crash
Environmental Protection Agency officials consider scrapping the agency’s economics office after receiving a report critical of current global warming policy. Democrats plan public rallies to…
Blog
Letting Illegal Immigrants Sink Health-Care “Reform”
Mickey Kaus, who voted for Obama and wants universal health-care, wonders why Obama is damaging his credibility and endangering his health-care reform proposals by…
Blog
More Legal Experts Say ObamaCare Is Unconstitutional
More legal experts are questioning the constitutionality of ObamaCare. In today’s Washington Post, two former Justice Department lawyers, David Rivkin and Lee Casey, argue that…
Blog
Why I Want a Public Option in the Health Care Bill
A bill with a public option will probably not pass. Too much opposition. But one without it probably will.
Newsletter
Regulating online drug ads, Google Book settlement, bottled water to the rescue
Yahoo being scrutinized online pharmaceutical ads. Microsoft, Yahoo, and Amazon sign on to oppose the Google Book settlement.
Blog
The Great Health Care Reform Trilemma
I recently posted on facebook about health care reform and trying to “have it all.” I’m no expert, but it seems to me that you…
Blog
Yes, ObamaCare Will Likely Cover Illegal Immigrants
Media fact-checkers have caught Obama telling several falsehoods about his health-care proposals. But they have let him get away with other false claims,…
Blog
FDA Regulation of Internet Drug Advertising
Today, CEI filed comments on a draft FDA guidance document advising prescription drug manufacturers on how to comply with regulations requiring the presentation of risk…
Comment
Comments on the FDA’s Draft Guidance for Industry, Presenting Risk Information In Prescription Drug and Medical Device Promotion
In comments on an FDA draft guidance document for drug industry advertising, CEI challenged the agency to bring its “1960s approach to prescription drug advertising…
Newsletter
Swiss bank settlement, Hurricanes, Healthcare debate continues
UBS agrees to turn over to the IRS the names of 4,450 U.S. account holders. …
News Release
Institute Urges FDA to Get Real on Internet Drug Advertising
Institute Urges FDA to Get Real on Internet Drug Advertising CEI Says ‘1960s Approach’ Harms Consumer Interest Washington, D.C., August 20, 2009—The Competitive Enterprise…
Blog
“ObamaCare Is All About Rationing” and Tax Increases, Obama Adviser Says
“ObamaCare is all about rationing,” says one of Obama’s own advisers, Martin Feldstein. Feldstein earlier noted that Obama’s health-care plan would…
