RAND Congressional Briefing Series Podcast

RAND Congressional Briefing Series Audio Podcast

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RAND Congressional Briefings connect RAND experts with lawmakers, legislative staff, and respected opinion leaders on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to present findings and recommendations on issues relevant to the current policy debate.

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Episodes

Global HIV Programs at the Crossroads: How Can Donor Funding Be Optimized? — Dec 15, 2011

In this December 2011 Congressional Briefing, Gery Ryan discusses policy options and recommendations on how to most effectively fund HIV treatment initiatives throughout the world.

VA Mental Health Care: How Good Is It and How Can We Make It Better? — Dec 1, 2011

In this December 2011 Congressional Briefing, Katherine Watkins discusses the VA's capacity to deliver care to veterans with mental health and substance use disorders and the quality of the care that is delivered. This congressionally mandated study is the first comprehensive look at the full spectrum of clinical services provided to veterans with mental health issues.

How Does Growth in Health Care Costs Affect the American Family? — Oct 3, 2011

In this October 2011 Congressional Briefing, Art Kellermann presents a breakdown of how U.S. health care cost growth directly affects the finances of a typical American family.

The Public Health System Since 9/11: Progress Made and Challenges Remaining — Aug 23, 2011

In light of Congress's upcoming discussion about reauthorization of the Pandemic All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), five RAND experts discuss, in this August 2011 Congressional Briefing, the significant ways in which the U.S. public health system has improved since 9/11, as well as areas to which future improvement efforts should be targeted.

The Long Shadow of 9/11: America's Response to Terrorism — Jul 26, 2011

On July 26, 2010, RAND experts discussed the military, political, fiscal, social, cultural, psychological, and moral implications of U.S. policymaking since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

How Police Departments' Post-9/11 Focus on Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Has Affected Their Capacity to Fight Crime — Jul. 20, 2011

In this July 2011 Congressional Briefing, Lois Davis discusses adjustments made by law enforcement agencies to strengthen their counterterrorism and homeland security capabilities, and the new funding challenges faced by police departments since 9/11.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconTerrorism and Homeland Security Research Area

Nurturing the Arab Spring: What Can Be Done to Remove Existing Barriers to Freedom of Expression in the Arab World? — Jun. 13, 2011

In this June 2011 Congressional Briefing, RAND researchers discuss the growing body of creative works produced by Arab authors and artists that counter the intellectual and ideological underpinnings of violent extremism, factors that thwart the distribution of such works, and policy recommendations for overcoming those barriers.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconNational Security Research Area

The War Within: Preventing Suicide in the U.S. Military — May 10, 2011

In this May 2011 Congressional Briefing, behavioral scientist Rajeev Ramchand presents RAND research and analysis on recent increases in suicides among members of the U.S. military.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconNational Security Research Area

A New Way to Pay for Transportation: Exploring a Shift from Fuel Taxes to Mileage-Based User Fees — Apr. 26, 2011

In this April 2011 Congressional Briefing, Liisa Ecola discusses approaches to funding and conducting system trials designed to help policy and decisionmakers better understand the benefits and trade-offs of mileage-based user fees.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconInfrastructure and Transportation Research Area

Partners in Preparedness: How Governments Can Leverage the Strengths of NGOs in Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery — Mar. 14, 2011

In this March 2011 Congressional Briefing, behavioral scientist Joie Acosta shares action plans and policy recommendations that emerged from a community conference held on the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Distinguished panelists include Admiral Thad Allen, now a senior fellow at the RAND Corporation, and Ann Williamson, President and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconInfrastructure and Transportation Research Area

Unique Educational Games for Financial Literacy — Nov. 8, 2010

couple at computer

In this November 2010 Congressional Briefing, Timothy Flacke and Nick Maynard from the nonprofit D2D Fund discuss the value of financial entertainment as an educational tool, demonstrate two brand-new games, and describe plans to test their effectiveness.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconPopulation and Aging Research Area

Rebuilding Haiti — Oct. 18, 2010

earthquake ruins

In this October 2010 Congressional Briefing, RAND experts discuss how the billions of dollars in aid pledged to help Haiti rebuild after the January earthquake can be used to create a resilient state that is capable of responding effectively to natural disasters and providing public services like education and health care.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconInternational Affairs Research Area

The Quality of Care for Patients Dying in the Hospital: Areas for Improvement Suggest Fundamental Problem in U.S. Health Care — Sep. 13, 2010

elderly woman in hospital room

In this September 2010 Congressional Briefing, Neil Wenger describes a yearlong study on improving end-of-life care that can help policymakers address payment systems and other issues pertaining to quality of care for critically ill patients.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconHealth and Health Care Research Area

Improving Performance-Based Accountability for Public Services — Aug. 9, 2010

arrows and people to indicate performance measurement

In this August 9, 2010, Congressional Briefing, Brian Stecher presents evidence about the effectiveness of performance-based accountability systems in five sectors—child care, education, health care, public health emergency preparedness, and transportation—and provides recommendations about how to improve the effectiveness of such systems.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconEducation and the Arts Research Area

Civilian Defense Forces in Afghanistan — Jul. 26, 2010

Afghani village men, photo courtesy of defenseimagery.mil/Gay

Counterterrorism expert Arturo Munoz discusses the viability of establishing civilian defense forces to complement Afghan National Security Forces in this May 10, 2010, Congressional Briefing.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconNational Security Research Area

Marijuana Legalization: Projected Revenues, Costs, and Effects on Price and Use in California — Jul. 12, 2010

marijuana plant

A voter initiative to legalize marijuana has qualified for the November 2010 ballot in California. In this July 12, 2010, Congressional Briefing, the codirector of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center discusses the projected revenues, costs, and effects on price and use that may come from legalizing, regulating, and taxing marijuana in California.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconPublic Safety Research Area

Cash Incentives and Military Enlistment, Attrition, and Reenlistment — Jun. 14, 2010

troops marching, courtesy of Army/Hu Son Yoo

In this Congressional Briefing, held on June 14, 2010, James Hosek and Beth Asch describe the effect of enlistment and reenlistment bonuses on military recruitment and retention efforts and on attrition.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconNational Security Research Area

Improving the Energy Performance of Buildings: Learning from the European Union and Australia — Apr. 12, 2010

green building, photo courtesy of www.emnrd.state.nm.us

In this April 12, 2010, Congressional Briefing, Ambassador Charles Ries discusses lessons the United States could learn from the experiences of the European Union and Australia in driving energy efficiency in the building sector.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconEnergy and Environment Research Area

Surface Transportation Finance: The End of User Financing or a New Beginning? — Mar. 8, 2010

highway traffic, photo courtesy of nrel.gov

In this March 8, 2010, Congressional Briefing, Martin Wachs and Paul Sorensen discuss alternative funding streams for highway and public transportation improvements that Congress can consider as it focuses on the pending reauthorization of the federal transportation bill.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconTransportation and Infrastructure Research Area

Children on the Home Front: The Experiences of Children from Military Families — Mar. 1, 2010

returning soldier hugs daughter, photo courtesy of DoD/Cherie A. Thurlby

In this Congressional Briefing held on March 1, 2010, behavioral scientist Anita Chandra shared findings from the largest study to date on how children whose parents serve in the U.S. military are faring academically, socially, and emotionally during this extended period of wartime.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconChild Policy Research Area iconHealth and Health Care Research Area

The Impact of Deployment on the Post-Deployment Labor Market Earnings of Reservists — Nov. 9, 2009

U.S. Army reservists taking re-enlistment oath, photo courtesy of U.S. Army/Staff Sgt. M. Alices

In this Congressional Briefing held on November 9, 2009, senior economist David Loughran presents findings about whether reservists who served in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer economic hardship in their post-deployment years because of lost civilian work experience, injury, and other difficulties adjusting to civilian work life.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconNational Security Research Area iconWorkforce and Workplace Research Area

Ending Social Promotion: Examining the Effects of NYC's 5th-Grade Promotion Policy — Oct. 19, 2009

a girl in a library

In this Congressional Briefing held on October 19, 2009, researchers Jennifer McCombs and Lou Mariano discuss RAND's recently published evaluation of a test-based promotion policy implemented by the New York City Department of Education. The findings will be of interest as many states and school districts are implementing test-based requirements for promotion at key transitional points in students' schooling careers, thus ending the practice of promoting students who have failed to meet academic standards and requirements for that grade.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconEducation Care Research Area

The H1N1 Pandemic: Lessons Learned from the Cities Readiness Initiative — Sep. 14, 2009

pedestrians in city street

In this Congressional Briefing held on September 14, 2009, researchers Christopher Nelson and Edward Chan discuss RAND's recently published evaluation of the Cities Readiness Initiative, which helps the nation's largest metropolitan areas develop the ability to rapidly deliver life-saving medications and other medical supplies to their populations. The study has implications for pandemic influenza and other federal public health preparedness programs.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconHealth and Health Care Research Area

Options for Controlling Health Care Spending in Massachusetts — Aug. 17, 2009

surgeon removes coin from piggy bank

In this Congressional Briefing held on August 17, 2009, economist Christine Eibner presents findings about which strategies to reduce health care spending in Massachusetts are most (and least) promising. Lessons learned in this Massachusetts study are broadly applicable and could help Congress navigate cost containment proposals in the ongoing health reform debate.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconHealth and Health Care Research Area

Reparable Harm: Assessing Disparities Faced by Boys and Men of Color in California — Aug. 10, 2009

two men of color

In this Congressional Briefing held on August 10, 2009, Rebecca Kilburn, director of the Promising Practices Network on Children, Families and Communities and of RAND Child Policy, discusses the disparities for boys and men of color relative to their white counterparts across specific socioeconomic, health, safety, and school readiness indicators in California.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconHealth and Health Care Research Area

The Economic Cost of Methamphetamine Use in the United States — Jul. 13, 2009

dirty fingers hold small bag of meth crystals

In this Congressional Briefing held on July 13, 2009, Rosalie Liccardo Pacula, codirector of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center, presents the results of the first comprehensive national assessment of the annual economic burden posed by methamphetamine use.

View the VideoView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconHealth and Health Care Research Area iconPublic Safety Research Area

Engaging Iran: Opportunities and Obstacles — Jun. 8, 2009

Southern iwan with the square ablutions pool in the middle of of Masjed-e Jame mosque's sahn courtyard, the largest sahn in Iran, photo courtesy of flickr/youngrobv

In this Congressional Briefing held on June 8, 2009, Ambassador David Aaron, director of the RAND Center for Middle East Public Policy, moderates a discussion on Iran, one of the United States' most critical and high-profile foreign policy concerns.

iconView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconInternational Affairs Research Area

Imported Oil and U.S. National Security — May 11, 2009

man lugs oil barrel on his back

In this Congressional Briefing held on May 11, 2009, Keith Crane, director of the RAND Environment, Energy, and Economic Development Program, leads a discussion on the links between oil imports and U.S. national security.

iconView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconNational Security Research Area

What Constitutes an Effective Approach to Limiting Greenhouse Gases? — Apr. 13, 2009

smokestacks

In this Congressional Briefing, Michael Toman, former director of the RAND Environment, Energy, and Economic Development Program, moderates a discussion on greenhouse gases. on April 13, 2009.

iconView the Video iconListen to the Audio iconRead More iconEnergy and Environment Research Area

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For more than 60 years, RAND has provided policymakers with independent, objective research and analysis on key national security, domestic, and international issues. RAND work helps members of Congress and their staffs make better-informed decisions on the nation's pressing challenges. The Office of Congressional Relations offers a number of products and services to educate, inform, and facilitate congressional policymakers' access to RAND work, including coordinating congressional testimony by RAND experts, organizing briefings and meetings, synthesizing RAND work into topical e-newsletters and providing reports and publications to congressional offices. For more information, visit the Office of Congressional Relations Web page, contact ocr@rand.org, or call (703) 413-1100 x5395.

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