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Articles by Alexander Ciccone
EDITORIAL: Protecting NC’s flat tax for the next generation
By Alexander Ciccone For more than a decade, North Carolina’s flat tax has fueled growth and prosperity. By ensuring everyone pays the same tax rate regardless of how much they earn, this uniform income tax has given taxpayers and businesses a simple, predictable framework. This November, North Carolinians can protect this stability by capping the income tax rate at 3.5% in the state constitution. kAm}@CE9 r2C@=:?2 EC2?D:E:@?65 7C@> 2 AC@8C6DD:G6[ >F=E:\3C24<6E :?4@>6 E2I DJDE6> E@ 2 7=2E E2I :?
Protecting NC’s flat tax for the next generation
For more than a decade, North Carolina’s flat tax has fueled growth and prosperity. By ensuring everyone pays the same tax rate regardless of how much they earn, this uniform income tax has given taxpayers and businesses a simple, predictable framework. This November, North Carolinians can protect this stability by capping the income tax rate at 3.5% in the state constitution. North Carolina transitioned from a progressive, multi-bracket income tax system to a flat tax in 2013.
Want cheaper healthcare? Stop rewarding hospitals for buying the competition
With the midterm elections just around the corner, healthcare and affordability will likely once again dominate the airwaves. There’s no shortage of ambitious reforms out there, yet Congress should start by focusing its attention on the biggest drivers of health spending in recent years: hospital systems.
The Working Families Tax Cuts strengthen SNAP. Don’t let the Senate undo progress
June 1 marked the start of new eligibility requirements for Americans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The working families tax cuts strengthened the long-term viability of SNAP by requiring able-bodied adults to meet modest work requirements to retain their benefits — with clear exemptions for vulnerable populations. These commonsense reforms protect taxpayer dollars and restore public trust to a system plagued by waste and abuse.
Don’t let what happened to Spirit Airlines happen to Warner Bros Original
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... California has become increasingly hostile to private-sector businesses—and especially to mergers. Leading that charge is Attorney General Rob Bonta, whose aggressive antitrust agenda prioritizes ideology over consumer welfare. By opposing deals that could strengthen struggling companies, such as the blocked JetBlue-Spirit merger, Bonta’s approach has frequently left consumers, workers, and taxpayers worse off.
Bill Would Increase Oversight of Payments from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program
May 20, 2026 The Honorable Mike Carey 1433 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative Carey, On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, I write to express our strong support for H.R. 8872, the Preventing Waste, Fraud and Abuse in TANF Act. This legislation contains several provisions that will enhance federal oversight of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
Bill Would Strengthen Oversight of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Payments
May 19, 2026 The Honorable Jodey Arrington 1111 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative Arrington, On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, I write to express our strong support for H.R. 2242, the Eliminating Fraud and Improper Payments in TANF Act.
Bill Strengthens Taxpayer Protections When Taking IRS to Court
May 19, 2026 ****************************************************************************** National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, urges all members to vote “YES” on H.R. 6506, the Taxpayer Due Process Enhancement Act. Introduced by Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), this bipartisan legislation modernizes the U.S. Tax Court to ensure taxpayers have a fair opportunity to challenge disputed tax liabilities with the IRS.
Bill Would Reform Medicare Payment Procedures, Safeguard Taxpayer Dollars
May 18, 2026 The Honorable Lloyd Smucker 302 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative Smucker, On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, I write to express our strong support for H.R. 8804, the Medicare Payment Integrity Enhancement Act of 2026.
FTC Should Exercise Restraint Before Imposing Sweeping Regulations on Food Delivery Platforms
May 18, 2026 Federal Trade Commission Attn: Andrew Ferguson, Chair Posted on regulations.gov Food Delivery Fees ANPRM (Project No. P267101); FTC-2026-0463-0001 Re: Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees in Online Food Delivery Services On behalf of National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, I write with brief remarks on FTC-2026-0463-0001, an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) regarding whether a new rule is needed to address fee practices by...
Bill Will Strengthen Federal Tools to Tackle Interstate Retail Theft Networks
May 12, 2026 **************************************************************************** National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, urges all members to vote “YES” on H.R. 2853, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025. Introduced by Rep. David Joyce (R-OH), this bipartisan legislation would strengthen federal tools to tackle increasingly sophisticated interstate retail theft networks that impose significant costs on businesses and consumers.
Rare Disease Patients Deserve Cures, Too
Last week, President Trump announced a new agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to apply “Most-Favored-Nation” (MFN) pricing to all its future medicines for U.S. patients. Despite the rosy political spin about how this agreement will lower drug prices, it actually imports foreign price controls that undermine the medical innovation the administration has otherwise sought to protect—particularly through its reforms for so-called “orphan drugs,” which are medicines for rare diseases.
Rare Disease Patients Deserve Cures, Too
Last week, President Trump announced a new agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to apply “Most-Favored-Nation” (MFN) pricing to all its future medicines for U.S. patients. Despite the rosy political spin about how this agreement will lower drug prices, it actually imports foreign price controls that undermine the medical innovation the administration has otherwise sought to protect -- particularly through its reforms for so-called “orphan drugs,” which are medicines for rare diseases.
Markups Wisely Reduce Spending, But Shouldn’t Slash GAO’s Budget
April 29, 2026 The Honorable Tom Cole Chairman, House Appropriations Committee U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chairman Cole and Members of the Committee, On behalf of National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, we write to express our views regarding markups of the FY27 Legislative Branch bill as well as the FY27 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill. I.
Regulatory Clarity for Independent Contracting Will Benefit Companies and Workers
April 28, 2026 U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division Attn: Andrew Rogers, Administrator Posted on regulations.gov Docket No. WHD-2026-0001 RIN 1235–AA46 Re: Employee or Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, we write with brief remarks on WHD–2026–0001, a proposed rule to...
Fixing Medicare Reimbursement Practices Would Help Lower Health Care Costs
April 27, 2026 The Honorable Jason Smith Chairman U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Richard Neal Ranking Member U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Neal, and Members of the Committee, On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, we commend the Committee for holding a hearing on the impact of rising health care costs on patients and families by...
Transparency in Pharmacy Benefit Managers Pricing Can Reduce Drug Costs
April 22, 2026 The Honorable Rick Allen| Chairman Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Mark DeSaulnier Ranking Member Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chairman Allen, Ranking Member DeSaulnier, and Members of the Subcommittee, On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, we commend the Subcommittee...
Trump ends costly Medicaid gimmicks
Nowhere is the failure to rein in public spending more glaring than in Medicaid, which is ballooning into an unaccountable $1 trillion-a-year entitlement. However, common sense reforms enacted in President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts finally put an end to budget gimmicks that states have used to inflate federal spending for decades. kAmkDA2?m|65:42:5 92D 56G@=G65 :?E@ 2 7:?2?4:2= D96== 82>6] $E2E6D 7:8FC65 @FE E96J 42? 82>6 E96 DJDE6> 3J E2I:?8 962=E9 42C6 AC@G:56CD[ 2?5 E96?
340B Rebate Pilot Can Provide Valuable Lessons for Future Reform
April 20, 2026 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration Office of Pharmacy Affairs Attn: Chantelle Britton, Director Posted on regulations.gov and sent via email: 340Bpricing@HRSA.gov Re: Request for Information: 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program, HHS Docket No. HRSA-2026-03042 On behalf of National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, we write with brief remarks on HRSA-2026-03042, which seeks comments...
Markets, Not Bureaucratic Interventions, Will Lower Drug Prices
April 16, 2026 The Honorable Bill Cassidy Chairman U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Bernie Sanders Ranking Member U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Washington, DC 20510 Dear Chairman Cassidy, Ranking Member Sanders, and Members of the Committee, On behalf of National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, we commend the committee for holding a hearing entitled...
Bill Would Take Steps to End Redundant and Overlapping Government Programs
April 6, 2026 The Honorable Tim Burchett 1122 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Melanie Stansbury 1421 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chairman Burchett, Ranking Member Stansbury, and Members of the Subcommittee, On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, I write to express our strong support for H.R. 8096, the Duplication Scoring Act of 2026.
Transparency Bill Would Ensure Government Spending Is Reported in a Timely Manner
April 6, 2026 The Honorable Josh Brecheen 351 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative Brecheen, On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, I write to express our support for the Expedited Transparency Act. This bipartisan legislation promotes accountability for taxpayers by ensuring that information on federal spending is made publicly available in a timely and consistent manner.
Trump’s Budget Offers a Mixed Bag for Taxpayers
President Trump released his Fiscal Year 27 budget on Friday. Though the budget request is mostly performative, it serves as a starting point for Congress in negotiating a spending deal ahead of the start of the fiscal year on October 1. Here are some key facts and figures from the President’s budget request, especially as it compares to the recent budget baseline released by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) in February.
Hospitals’ Perverse Incentives Are Inflating Health Care Costs
There’s no shortage of politicians in Washington ready to blame insurance companies and drug manufacturers for the crushing cost of health care. Yet the single largest driver of health care costs in recent years isn’t pharmaceutical stock-buy backs or opaque insurance practices–it’s hospital systems.
President Trump Ends Costly Medicaid Accounting Gimmicks
Politicians have perfected the craft of campaigning on fiscal responsibility, only to govern as if taxpayer dollars grow on trees. Nowhere is the failure of elected officials to rein in public spending more glaring than in Medicaid, which is ballooning into an unaccountable $1 trillion-a-year entitlement. However, common sense reforms enacted in President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts finally put an end to budget gimmicks that states have used to inflate federal spending for decades.
US Spending Trajectory Unsustainable, Balanced Budget Amendment Urgently Needed
National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, urges all members to vote “YES” on H.J. Res. 139, a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Introduced by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), this legislation would provide the strongest safeguard possible against Washington’s chronic overspending problem by restoring basic fiscal discipline to its rightful place in the Constitution. Our country’s fiscal trajectory remains unsustainable.
Ending Incentives for Provider Consolidation Would Increase Competition, Ease Health Care Costs
The Honorable Morgan Griffith Chairman Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Diana DeGette Ranking Member Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chairman Griffith, Ranking Member DeGette, and Members of the Subcommittee, National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, commends the Health Subcommittee for examining the role hospitals play in driving up health care spending.
Work Requirements Will Help Medicaid and Its Beneficiaries
Politicians in Washington have mastered the art of talking about health care reform without ever delivering results. However, the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act has begun to actually implement common-sense reforms to important programs like Medicaid. Hopefully, this is the start of a broader effort to address the federal government’s decades of mismanagement of health care programs.
Work requirements will help Medicaid and its beneficiaries
Opinion>Opinions - Healthcare The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the view of The Hill by Alexander Ciccone, opinion contributor - 03/16/26 10:00 AM ET by Alexander Ciccone, opinion contributor - 03/16/26 10:00 AM ET Share LinkedIn Email FILE – A job candidate waits for an interview to apply for a financial account health care analyst position at the L.A. Care Health Plan job fair at the company’s downtown Los Angeles office on May 21, 2022.
Opinion - Work requirements will help Medicaid and its beneficiaries
Opinion Alexander Ciccone, opinion contributor Mon 16 March 2026 at 2:00 pm UTC 4 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Politicians in Washington have mastered the art of talking about health care reform without ever delivering results. However, the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act has begun to actually implement common-sense reforms to important programs like Medicaid.
Opinion - Work requirements will help Medicaid and its beneficiaries
Politicians in Washington have mastered the art of talking about health care reform without ever delivering results. However, the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act has begun to actually implement common-sense reforms to important programs like Medicaid. Hopefully, this is the start of a broader effort to address the federal government’s decades of mismanagement of health care programs.
Opinion - Work requirements will help Medicaid and its beneficiaries
Politicians in Washington have mastered the art of talking about health care reform without ever delivering results. However, the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act has begun to actually implement common-sense reforms to important programs like Medicaid. Hopefully, this is the start of a broader effort to address the federal government’s decades of mismanagement of health care programs.
Amendments to Health Care Bill Would Threaten Innovation and Long-Term Affordability
February 26, 2026 The Honorable Bill Cassidy Chairman Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee 455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Bernie Sanders Ranking Member Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee 332 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 Chairman Cassidy, Ranking Member Sanders, and Members of the Committee, On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, I write to...
A way to cut billions in waste
Lawmakers talk a good game about rooting out wasteful government spending. Now, Congress has a chance to turn talk into action. A bipartisan bill introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, and Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, called the No Unreasonable Payments, Coding, or Diagnoses for the Elderly, or “No UPCODE Act” takes aim at one of the most expensive and abused programs in the federal government: Medicare Advantage. kAmkDA2?m%9:D =68:D=2E:@?
GUARD Model Would Sacrifice Drug Innovation for Short Term Cost Savings
February 23, 2026 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Attn: Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Submitted via https://www.regulations.gov/ On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, we write with brief remarks on CMS-5546-P, which seeks comments on the Guarding U.S. Medicare Against Rising Drug Costs (GUARD) model, a new Medicare payment model under section 1115A of the Social Security Act.
Bill Would End Abuse of the Department of Justice's Settlement Authority
February 5, 2026 The Honorable Lance Gooden 2431 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative Gooden, On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, I write to express our support for the Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act.
Congress Should Protect Federal Disaster Dollars from Unfair Taxation in Puerto Rico
February 5, 2026 The Honorable Sam Graves Chairman Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Rick Larsen Ranking Member Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and Members of the Committee, On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, I write to express our concern that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster funds are at...
Bill Would Expedite Permitting and Promote Domestic Mineral Mining
February 3, 2026 **************************************************** National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, urges all members to vote “YES” on H.R. 4090, the Critical Mineral Dominance Act, authored by Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN).
Balanced Budget Amendment Is Crucial to Correct Nation's Fiscal Trajectory
To: Members of the House Committee on the Judiciary From: National Taxpayers Union Date: February 3, 2026 Subject: NTU’s views on the February 3 Markup On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, we write to express our views on legislation slated for consideration before the House Committee on the Judiciary on February 3, 2026.
This One Bipartisan Bill Would Cut Billions in Medicare Waste
Lawmakers in Washington talk a good game about rooting out wasteful government spending, especially in parts of the federal budget that fuel the national debt. Now, Congress has a chance to turn talk into action. A bipartisan bill introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) called the No Unreasonable Payments, Coding, or Diagnoses for the Elderly, or “No UPCODE Act” takes aim at one of the most expensive and abused programs in the federal government: Medicare Advantage.
Congress Should Prioritize Transparency and Accessibility in Live Entertainment Industry
January 27, 2026 The Honorable Marsha Blackburn Chairman Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy 357 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable John Hickenlooper Ranking Member Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy 316 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Chairman Blackburn, Ranking Member...
Fiscal Contingency Preparedness Act Boosts Transparency, Helps Plan for Future Crises
January 26, 2026 The Honorable Ben Cline 2443 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Jack Bergman 566 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Jared Golden 1107 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Marie Gluesenkamp Perez 1431 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representatives Cline, Bergman, Golden, and Gluesenkamp Perez, On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer...
Stop Insider Trading Act Is a Prudent, Pragmatic Approach to Improving Ethical Guidelines for Lawmakers
January 15, 2026 The Honorable Bryan Steil 1526 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chairman Steil, On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, I write to express our strong support for H.R. 7008, the Stop Insider Trading Act. By prohibiting members of Congress from purchasing individual stocks, this practical ethics reform is a much-needed step toward restoring public trust in government.
Save Local Business Act Will Protect the Franchise Business Model
January 13, 2026 **************************************************** National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, urges all members to vote “YES” on H.R. 4366, the Save Local Business Act, authored by Representative James Comer (R-KY). This legislation protects the franchise business model by clarifying the joint employer standard, thereby providing certainty for small business owners and workers across the country.
Balanced Budget Amendment Is Crucial to Protect Taxpayers
To: Members of the House Committee on the Judiciary From: National Taxpayers Union Date: January 13, 2026 Subject: NTU’s views on the January 13 Markup On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, we write to express our views on legislation slated for consideration before the House Committee on the Judiciary on January 13, 2026.
Taxing FEMA Projects Will Leave Puerto Rico Worse Off
Never underestimate politicians’ ability to come up with creative schemes to reach deeper into taxpayers’ pockets. Since Puerto Rico was hit by back-to-back hurricanes in 2017—almost a decade ago—U.S. taxpayers have contributed over $20 billion in federal recovery funding. Now, local politicians are weaponizing the legal system to grab even more of your hard-earned tax dollars.
Bill Would Improve Transparency, Accountability for Regulatory Changes
To: Members of the House Committee on the Judiciary From: National Taxpayers Union Date: January 8, 2026 Subject: NTU’s views on the January 8 Markup On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, we write to express our views on legislation slated for consideration before the House Committee on the Judiciary on January 8, 2026.
Vote No on Extension of Obamacare Premium Subsidies
January 7, 2026 **************************************************** National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, urges all members to vote “NO” on legislation that would extend the enhanced Obamacare subsidies for three years. Initially enacted as an emergency measure by President Biden in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, these enhanced subsidies funnel taxpayer dollars directly to insurance companies.
Vote No on Extending Obamacare Enhanced Subsidies
December 17, 2025 ********************************************************************* National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, urges all members to vote “NO” on any and all legislation that would extend the enhanced Obamacare subsidies. Initially enacted as an emergency measure by President Biden in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, these enhanced subsidies funnel taxpayer dollars directly to insurance companies.
No UPCODE Act Removes Incentives to Overcharge Medicare Advantage
View PDF December 17, 2025 The Honorable Bill Cassidy 455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Jeff Merkley 531 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Cassidy and Senator Merkley, On behalf of National Taxpayers Union, the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, I write to express our strong support for S. 1105, the No Unreasonable Payments, Coding, Or Diagnoses for the Elderly (No UPCODE) Act.
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