The Center on Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate (C-FIRE) at The Heartland Institute
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Articles by Matthew Glans
Publications - Research & Commentary: Virginia House Motions to Limit Annual Fuel Tax Increases
In this Research & Commentary, Samantha Fillmore examines a House Bill in Virginia that would limit annual fuel tax increases. Virginia lawmakers are considering amending the state’s fuel tax code with House Bill 6001. If passed, this legislation would ultimately limit increases in fuel taxes to no greater than two percent over the previous year’s United States Average Consumer Price Index (CPI). HB 6001 also amends the current tax rates for each type of motor fuel.
Combating Big Tech's Totalitarianism: A Road Map
February 7, 2022 It is time for aggressive reforms to ensure that Big Tech is held accountable, provide scrutiny and oversight, and constrain its ability to reshape society.
Publications - Research & Commentary: States Should End Federal Expanded Unemployment Benefits
June 30, 2021 In this Research & Commentary, Samantha Fillmore examines the economic implications associated with the Federal Bonus Unemployment Benefits In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Included in this relief package was a program that expanded unemployment benefits, known as the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program (FPUCP).
Publications - Six Principles for State Legislators Seeking to Protect Free Speech on Social Media Platforms
February 5, 2021 Political free speech in the United States is under attack. Tech media giants who own and control virtually all social media platforms available to Americans are working together to silence groups with whom they do not agree. Political free speech in the United States is under attack. Tech media giants who own and control virtually all social media platforms available to Americans are working together to silence groups with whom they do not agree.
The Leaflet: Big Tech Censors Hunter Biden Story and The Silent Symptoms of the COVID-19 Pandemic
October 18, 2020 The Heartland Institute highlights GR's latest work. In The Tank Podcast: Big Tech Censors Hunter Biden Story Heartland’s Donald Kendal, Justin Haskins, and Jim Lakely are joined by Isaac Orr for episode 265 of the In The Tank Podcast.
Publications - The Leaflet: Solutions for Rare Diseases Hindered by the Food and Drug Administration
October 4, 2020 The Heartland Institute highlights GR's latest work on Child Safety Accounts and Free to Choose Medicine while promoting the latest environment coalition letter from the Caesar Rodney institute. One Mother's Journey to Save Her Son Christina Herrin interviews Amber Freed: mother, activist, and founder of SLC6A1. Amber's son suffers from a rare disease and the Freed family, like so many others, is desperately searching for a cure for his condition.
The Leaflet: Pandemic sucks enough. Don't needlessly kill more jobs!
Estimates indicate that more than two million people drive for ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft or deliver food for companies like GrubHub or DoorDash. Yet, politicians in some states want to virtually eliminate these opportunities. In 2019, Uber drivers earned nearly $13 billion, which had a total economic impact of $17 billion. Laws like California’s AB 5 would force a dramatic reduction in gig services.
Publications - Research & Commentary: New Right to Shop Health Care Model Could Empower Consumers
April 13, 2017 In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a Right to Shop proposal in Maine that could dramatically change how patients search for health care services. Maine legislators are considering a proposal that could dramatically change how patients search for health care services.
Publications - Research & Commentary: Delaying Minimum Wage Increase a Necessity for the Survival of California’s Businesses
July 24, 2020 Forced Wage Raise During Pandemic Could Leave Hundreds Of Thousands Out Of Work With California’s economy struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses and trade groups are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to delay the state’s minimum wage increase, which takes effect on January 1 and will raise wages to $13 an hour for businesses with fewer than 26 employees, and $14 per hour for businesses with more than 26 employees.
Publications - Research & Commentary: Missouri Legislators Pushing Internet Sales Tax Would Weaken State’s Struggling Economy
June 15, 2020 Additional internet sales tax regulations will weaken Missouri's already struggling economy. Despite this, mayors are calling Gov. Parson to call a special session over this issue. A coalition of Missouri mayors requested Gov. Mike Parson call lawmakers back to Jefferson City for a special session to pass a bill that would require remote vendors to collect Missouri sales taxes.
Publications - Policy Brief: How to Fix America's Crumbling Infrastructure: Lessons from Australia
May 11, 2020 Policymakers and analysts generally agree that much work and many reforms are needed to repair, improve, and enhance infrastructure in America. But how, exactly, should these goals be achieved?
Publications - Research & Commentary: Common Core Has Led to ‘Historic’ Drop in Achievement Scores
May 8, 2020 Scores Falling Sharpest For Black And Hispanic Students The adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) has led to a “historic” drop in student achievement scores on the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) test, also known as the “Nation’s Report Card,” a new study reports.
Publications - Research & Commentary: Low-Income Tennessee Children Deserve Education Savings Accounts
March 29, 2019 Program Would Ultimately Serve 15,000 Students A proposal in the Tennessee House of Representatives would establish an education savings account (ESA) program for low-income students zoned to school districts with at least three schools in the lowest-performing 10 percent of the state’s public schools. With an ESA, state education funds allocated for a child are placed in a parent-controlled savings account.
Publications - RETURN TO NORMAL: Getting Our States Back to Work Quickly and Safely
As President Donald Trump acknowledged in April, there is no net benefit in making the cure worse than the disease. By adhering to the set of reasonable principles outlined in this document, states can get their citizens back to work safely. With safeguards in place, the nation can manage the invisible threat of coronavirus and restore the public’s confidence. Work and free enterprise will fill store shelves and supply much-needed services. There is pent-up demand.
The Challenges of Forecasting the Spread and Mortality of COVID-19
April 15, 2020 Like climate models, epidemiological models used to project COVID-19 infections and deaths are grounded in assumptions, many of which about there is currently little knowledge. From the study: While statistical models can be useful tools for tracking COVID-19, they are only as accurate as the input assumptions, which depend on continually changing data. Widespread, randomized testing is critical to generating credible forecasts and developing a full understanding of the disease.
Publications - Research & Commentary: Reimporting Drugs Will Not Bring Down Drug Prices
February 24, 2017 In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines drug reimportation and why it is not the answer to high prescription drug prices. The high cost of prescription drugs in the United State has led many state and federal legislators to call for new laws allowing American consumers to purchase prescription drugs from retailers in other countries.
Publications - Science on FDA Liberalization: A Response to the Status Quo Process for Medical Treatments
The authors Douglas Sipp and Margaret Sleeboom-Faulkner deprecate at length the reform proposal of my Free To Choose Medicine, which served as a model for Japan’s legislation authorizing conditional approval for medical treatments focused on regenerative medicine (e.g., stem cells). Sipp and Sleeboom-Faulkner are, I think, wrong in supposing that Japan’s conditional approval will hurt patients by enabling them to gain early access to regenerative medicine treatments.
Publications - CARES Act – Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (H.R.748)
The 883 page CARES Act is a comprehensive aid package that includes direct payments to individuals, an expansion of unemployment insurance, and billions in aid to large and small businesses, with a price tag exceeding $2,000,000,000,000.00. "This isn't even a stimulus package," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "It is emergency relief. Emergency relief. That's what this is."
Publications - Summary of Supplemental Appropriations in the CARES Act
The Appropriations Committee of the U.S. Senate provided asummary of the supplemental appropriations (that is, direct federal spending) included in the CARES Act passed by the Senate, The U.S. House of Representatives, and signed into law by President Trump on March 27: "More than 80% ($27 4.231 billion) of the total $339 .855 billion provided in the coronavirus emergency supplemental appropriations package goes to state and local governments and communities.
Publications - Research & Commentary: Low-Income Tax-Credit Scholarship Program Would Be a Great First Step for Minnesota
March 20, 2020 Tax-Credit Scholarship Programs Are The Most Popular Form Of Private School Choice In The Country Companion legislation introduced in the Minnesota Legislature would establish the Equity and Opportunity in Education Tax Credit Program, a tax-credit scholarship program (TCS) for low-income students in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Publications - Research & Commentary: Renewing Mississippi’s Special Needs ESA is a No-Brainer
March 13, 2020 Successful Program Deserves Renewal and Expansion to More Mississippi Families A bill that has already passed through the Mississippi Senate would renew the state’s successful Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Program, an education savings account program (ESA) for special-needs students. Enacted in 2015, Mississippi’s ESA program had over 500 participating special needs students in 98 participating schools in the fall of 2019.
Publications - Research and Commentary: Gas Tax Increases Will Hurt the Kentucky Economy
March 12, 2020 By Cameron Sholty, Matthew Glans In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans and Cameron Sholty examine a nearly $500 million tax and fee increase on Bluegrass State drivers. To offset decreasing revenues available for transportation projects, Kentucky lawmakers have very recently proposed House Bill 580, which, if enacted, would raise nearly $500 million dollars to ostensibly shore up a lagging transportation project backlog. The measure would fully phase-in by January 1, 2021.
Publications - Research & Commentary: Gas Tax Increase Would Harm Bay State Economy
March 5, 2020 In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a proposed transportation funding plan in Massachusetts where drivers would pay 5 cents per gallon more for gasoline and 9 cents more per gallon for diesel. Gasoline taxes are an unreliable funding source for state transportation projects, road construction, and maintenance due to declining gasoline prices and more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Publications - Research & Commentary: More Education Funding Does Not Improve Education Outcomes
March 5, 2020 By Matthew Glans, Lennie Jarratt In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans and Lennie Jarratt examine a proposed tax hike in Rhode Island that would raise taxes on residents earning more than $500,000 annually and use the funds for K-12 education. In an effort to increase education funding in Rhode Island, two state lawmakers have introduced a tax reform plan that would raise taxes on residents earning more than $500,000 annually.
Publications - Research & Commentary: New Series of Bills Would Open Up Telemedicine in Michigan
March 3, 2020 In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines five new bills that have been proposed for the spring legislative session that would expand telemedicine in Michigan and bring needed clarity on how these services are defined and reimbursed. Telemedicine—the use of information technology to remotely diagnose, treat, or monitor patients—can transform health care delivery by making it more affordable and available.
Publications - Research and Commentary: Illinois Should Create Interstate Compact to End Corporate Giveaways
March 3, 2020 Illinois Looking To Stand Up To Corrupt Corporate Welfare Lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly recently introduced HB 4138, which would create the Phase Out Corporate Giveaways Interstate Compact. This compact would serve as an agreement between member states to refrain from participating in the practice of corporate subsidies. Corporate subsides manifest in the form of tax incentives or grants, in an attempt to attract businesses.
Publications - Policy Tip Sheet: Telehealth Could Bring Savings to Medicaid in Tennessee
February 27, 2020 In this Policy Tip Sheet, Matthew Glans discusses how the use of telehealth can transform health care by making it more affordable and available. Problem Telehealth—the use of information technology to remotely diagnose, treat, or monitor patients—can transform health care by making it more affordable and available.
Publications - Research & Commentary: Gas Tax Hike Will Not Solve Arizona’s Transportation Problems
February 27, 2020 In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a new bill in Arizona that would increase the state’s gasoline taxes by 18 cents a gallon by 2023. Gasoline taxes are an unreliable funding source for state transportation projects, road construction, and maintenance due to declining gasoline prices and more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Publications - Research & Commentary: Kansas Governor Considers a 'Netflix Tax'
February 26, 2020 By Robert Davis Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly released a $7.8 billion budget proposal adding several new taxes for digital property and subscription services. In January of 2020, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly released a $7.8 billion budget proposal that included significant spending increases for higher education. Under the governor’s proposed budget, certain taxes would be cut, while adding several new sales taxes for digital property and subscription services.
Publications - A Targeted Approach to Surprise Medical Billing
February 26, 2020 By Doug Badger, Brian Blase This report by Doug Badger and Brian Blase of the Galen Institute discusses the problems with arbitration and some rate setting as a solution. Badger and Blase say a better solution to surprise billing and balance billing is to mandate truth in advertising and good faith estimates.
Publications - Policy Tip Sheet: New Compact Could End Use of Taxpayer Dollars for Sports Stadiums
February 26, 2020 In this Policy Tip Sheet, Matthew Glans discusses stadium subsidies and why they represent a poor use of taxpayer dollars. Problem Taxpayers are increasingly being forced to foot the bill for the construction of extravagant sports stadiums in cities throughout the nation.
Publications - 2018 Health Care Cost and Utilization Report
February 25, 2020 The report, published by the Health Care Cost Institute, finds that annual individual health care spending has reached a new high. Average annual health care spending for people with employer-sponsored insurance rose to an all-time high of $5,892 in 2018, according to a comprehensive report issued in February by the Washington, D.C.-based Health Care Costs Institute (HCCI).
Publications - Research & Commentary: Florida Considers Expanding Role for Qualified Nurse Practitioners
February 21, 2020 In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a new bill in Florida that would expand the scope of practice of advanced practice registered nurses. Strict licensing standards have become a significant barrier to entry in too many fields. Unfortunately, this is producing a dire doctor shortage. State boards control licensing standards, professional discipline, and the various costs associated with entering the medical profession.
Publications - Policy Tip Sheet: Telehealth Could Bring Savings to Medicaid
February 21, 2020 In this Policy Tip Sheet, Matthew Glans examines a new bill that would expand access to telehealth through Colorado's community health centers by affirming that these services meet face-to-face requirements under Medicaid and should be reimbursed as such. Problem Telehealth—the use of information technology to remotely diagnose, treat, or monitor patients—can transform health care by making it more affordable and available.
Publications - Research & Commentary: Local Gas Taxes are One Tax too Many for Illinois Drivers
February 14, 2020 In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a new bill recently proposed in the Illinois General Assembly that would allow non-home rule local governments to create a municipal gas tax on top of state and federal gas taxes. Funding transportation projects has become a major problem for Illinois, as it has for many other states. Profligate spending is an issue that has long plagued transportation funding.
Publications - Research & Commentary: There is No Such Thing as a Conservative Expansion of Medicaid
February 14, 2020 In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans discusses Medicaid expansion and how states expanding with faux free-market reforms have failed to improve their Medicaid programs. Medicaid expansion is an expensive endeavor that many critics believe does not provide better or more affordable health care.
Publications - Research & Commentary: Florida Considers Limiting Taxpayer Funding for Sports Palaces
February 14, 2020 In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a new bill in Florida that attempts to decrease the use of taxpayer dollars for stadiums. In recent years, the trend in stadium financing has shifted from private funding to taxpayer subsidies for new stadium construction or renovation. Even more disturbing, nearly all new sports facilities are being built with government subsidies. The primary funding mechanisms for these stadiums are tax-exempt municipal bonds.
Policy Tip Sheet: Tennessee Should Repeal or Reform Disruptive Certificate of Need Laws
February 12, 2020 In this Policy Tip Sheet, Matthew Glans discusses how work requirements are desperately needed to ensure the long-term viability of Medicaid and keep costs under control. Problem Tennessee is one of 35 states that institute certificate of need (CON) laws, which arbitrarily limit health care services. CON programs require health care providers to receive state approval, generally from the state’s health care agency or a designated CON commission, to expand facilities and services.
Publications - Physician Group Sues Rep. Adam Schiff for Anti-Vaccine Pressure
February 6, 2020 The suit, filed January 15, 2020, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia claims Schiff is trying to censure anti-vaccine information on social media platforms. The lawsuit follows a letter on Rep. Schiff's (D-CA) congressional website stating certain messages regarding vaccines are a direct threat to public health and asked social media companies for steps they are taking to provide "medically accurate information on vaccinations" to their users.
Publications - Research & Commentary: Washington State Continues Efforts to Expand Telemedicine
January 31, 2020 In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines telemedicine in Washington State and how the state is working to expand the availability of telehealth providers. Telemedicine—the use of information technology to remotely diagnose, treat, or monitor patients—can transform health care delivery by making it more affordable and available. The main barriers preventing telemedicine from expanding in many states are government regulations such as strict licensing standards.
Publications - Debunking the Scandinavian Socialism Myth
February 1, 2020 By Christopher Talgo, Justin Haskins This booklet seeks to establish, beyond any doubt, that Denmark, Norway, and Sweden have not embraced Marxist principles throughout much of their economies and are thus not “socialist” nations. In recent years, self-identified “democratic socialists” such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have touted socialism as the solution for all of America’s economic and social problems.
Publications - Policy Tip Sheet: Increasing the Minimum Wage Does Not Reduce Poverty
January 29, 2020 In this Policy Tip Sheet, Matthew Glans discusses how minimum wage laws create unintended consequences that can actually inflict more harm than good. Problem In the last year, 21 states increased their minimum wage, and several more are considering increasing theirs in the current session.
Publications - Research & Commentary: Medicaid Dominating State Budgets
January 29, 2020 In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a new study from the Pew Charitable Trusts has found that the states’ share of Medicaid spending has grown steadily over time and is taking up more and more of state revenue. A new study from the Pew Charitable Trusts has found that the states’ share of Medicaid spending has grown steadily over time and is taking up more and more of state revenue.
Publications - Policy Tip Sheet: States Should Expand Direct Primary Care to Help Expand Availability of Primary Care
January 28, 2020 In this Policy Tip Sheet, Matthew Glans discusses how direct primary care can be an effective tool toward revitalizing the U.S. primary health care system. Problem One of the lesser-known factors driving skyrocketing health care costs throughout the country is the lack of primary care physicians. Indeed, many states are experiencing a severe shortage of primary care physicians.
Publications - Policy Tip Sheet: Dental Therapists are a Crucial Tool for Ending Washington’s Dental Health Shortage
January 24, 2020 In this Policy Tip Sheet, Matthew Glans examines a new bill in Washington State that would permit dental therapists in Washington while setting new rules and requirements for licensure and the scope of practice for DTs. Problem Like many states, Washington State is facing a growing dental shortage. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) designated 124 Washington regions as “Health Professional Shortage Areas” (HPSA).
Publications - Research & Commentary: Increased Spending will not Improve Education Outcomes in the Grand Canyon State
January 24, 2020 By Matthew Glans, Lennie Jarratt In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a revived tax hike proposal in Arizona designed to increase funding for Arizona’s public education system. On the first day of the 2020 session, a revived tax hike proposal designed to increase funding for Arizona’s public education system was introduced in the Arizona Legislature.
Publications - Policy Tip Sheet: Vehicle Mileage Taxes are not Ready for Primetime
January 17, 2020 In this Policy Tip Sheet, Matthew Glans discusses vehicle mileage taxes and how they present several problems that could make implementation costly and difficult. Problem Gasoline taxes are an unreliable funding source for state transportation projects, road construction, and maintenance due to declining gasoline prices and more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Publications - Research & Commentary: Taxing Internet Sales Will Weaken Online Economy
January 16, 2020 In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a proposal in Missouri that would impose a use tax on remote vendors with at least $100,000 in cumulative gross receipts from the sale of tangible personal property in the state. For years, states shied away from implementing internet sales taxes on persons or businesses without a physical presence in the state.
Publications - Letter to HHS on Reforming HIPAA to Protect Patient Privacy
January 15, 2020 The Citizens' Council for Health Freedom sent this letter HHS Office for Civil Rights Director Robert Severino on December 6, 2019. CCHF is asking the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to review the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) after it was revealed that Ascension Health will be sharing records on millions of its patients with Goggle in a data sharing arrangement.
Publications - Research & Commentary: Medicaid Expansion is not the Only Way to Improve Medicaid in Kansas
January 10, 2020 In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines the latest effort to expand Medicaid in Kansas and why Kansas lawmakers should consider other options. Over the past decade, Medicaid rolls have expanded much faster than many states can handle. From 2013 to 2018, the number of Medicaid enrollees increased by nearly 28 percent, to more than 67 million. In 2017, the cost of Medicaid reached $581.9 billion.
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