November 2014

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Honoring America's Veterans Requires Helping Their Families, Too

This Veterans Day, the United States especially honors the millions of veterans living with service-related illnesses and injuries. But it's also important to recognize the sacrifices of those helping them to recover and thrive: America's 5.5 million military caregivers.

Terri Tanielian

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The ACA's Tax Credits Keep Premiums Low for Everyone

The ACA's tax credits currently contain several properties that stabilize premiums while providing assistance to low- and moderate-income people. As policymakers contemplate modifications to the ACA that would affect the tax credits, it will be important to consider not only how they affect those who are eligible, but also how they affect premiums for everyone else.

Christine Eibner @Chrissyeibner

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Health Insurance Without an Annual Expiration Date? A Case for Exchange-Based Long-Term Policies

Multi-year health plans have the potential to finally align the interests of health plan enrollees and insurers by reaping long-term benefits of patient health management.

Harry H. Liu, Soeren Mattke

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What's the Plan? The Afghan Government

With the election dispute having reached a settlement, one can sense a feeling of hope and opportunity among the Afghan political spectrum. Members of each camp are voicing optimism and saying the right things, but before the unity government can address the litany of issues facing the country, it must first successfully clear the hurdle of appointing new leadership.

Jason H. Campbell @JasonHCampbell

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Research Drives Ongoing Support for Veterans

On November 11, we honor the service and sacrifices of America's veterans. But as they return home and adjust to civilian life, veterans and their families face new challenges and communities struggle to meet their unique needs. Rigorous research is essential to addressing these challenges and finding long-term solutions. RAND explores key issues concerning veterans such as employment, health and well-being, family support, and education.

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Global Collaboration Needs a Firmer Evidence Base

Policymakers should carry out a robust evaluation to assess the EU's research collaboration to date and analyze its impacts. This review should also compare the EU's portfolio with the collaborative research achievements of other players in international research. Such evidence would enhance the EU's research procurement strategy.

Ben Baruch @Ben_Baruch_, Cecile Hoareau McGrath, et al.

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Hitting the Pause Button: The 'Frozen Conflict' Dilemma in Ukraine

Frozen conflicts describe places where fighting took place and has come to an end, yet no overall political solution, such as a peace treaty, has been reached. Ukraine is likely to host such conflicts for some time, in Crimea and the Donbas region. Georgia's experience offers lessons for Ukraine.

Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, et al.

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Ebola Shows America Needs Better Disaster Preparedness

Crafting an effective, whole-community strategy to respond to Ebola could stop the spread of the disease now and lay groundwork for responses to future outbreaks and other emergencies. In the long run, this could make public preparedness and resilience valuable assets for the U.S.

Mahshid Abir, Richard Serino

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Engagement and Assurance: Debating the U.S.-Chinese Relationship

The risks of strategic rivalry with China deserve serious attention. But the best way to avoid the destabilizing effects of military competition is sustained U.S. engagement with China and the region -- precisely what U.S. policy has been seeking to achieve.

Michael S. Chase, Timothy R. Heath, et al.

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Access to Technology Is Key to Early Childhood Education

For children from all income classes to benefit from the proper use of technology in early childhood education, providers, families, and children themselves must have access to an adequate technology infrastructure, including devices, connectivity, and software.

Lindsay Daugherty, Rafiq Dossani

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Republicans May Make Gains in Midterm Election, but Democrats Remain Strong Nationally

The Republican Party has a strong chance of maintaining control of the House of Representatives and possibly even gaining control of the Senate. But survey results suggest that, while individual races may vary, support for Republican candidates nationwide may be less than support for Democratic candidates.

Katherine Grace Carman @KGCarman, Michael S. Pollard @MichaelSPollard

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Adults Are Concerned About Sons Playing Football, Especially the More Highly Educated and Obama 2012 Voters

According to new data, 44 percent of American adults wouldn't be comfortable letting their sons play football. Roughly the same percentage was uncomfortable with their sons playing ice hockey.

Katherine Grace Carman @KGCarman, Michael S. Pollard @MichaelSPollard