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Daily Archives: February 14, 2012

Pew Report – Evidence That America’s Voter Registration System Needs an Upgrade

“Approximately 24 million active voter registrations in the United States are no longer valid or have significant inaccuracies, according to the Pew Center on the States. Research in Pew’s report, Inaccurate, Costly, and Inefficient, underscores the need for registration systems that better maintain voter records, save money, and streamline processes. This is an effort that eight states are spearheading with Pew’s support.”

Gallup – Fewer Americans Have Employer-Based Health Insurance

“Fewer Americans got their health insurance from an employer in 2011 (44.6%) than in 2010 (45.8%), continuing the downward trend Gallup and Healthways have documented since 2008. As employer-based health insurance has declined, the percentage of Americans who are uninsured has increased, rising to 17.1% this year, the highest seen since 2008. The 25.2% of… Continue Reading

EPA Finalizes Air Toxic Emissions Standards for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Production Facilities

News release: “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued strong final standards requiring facilities that produce polyvinyl chloride and copolymers (PVC) to reduce harmful air emissions, which will improve air quality and protect people’s health in communities where facilities are located. Exposure to toxic air pollutants, like those emitted from PVC facilities, can cause… Continue Reading

Joint Fact Sheet on Strengthening U.S.-China Economic Relations

Joint Fact Sheet on Strengthening U.S.-China Economic Relations: “Building on the consensus reached by President Hu Jintao and President Barack Obama during President Hu’s January 2011 state visit to the United States, the United States and China affirm that our two countries are promoting the healthy and steady development of the U.S.-China cooperative partnership based… Continue Reading

CRS – European Union Enlargement

European Union Enlargement, Kristin Archick, Specialist in European Affairs, January 26, 2012 “The European Union (EU) has long viewed the enlargement process as an extraordinary opportunity to promote political stability and economic prosperity in Europe. Since 2004, EU membership has grown from 15 to 27 countries, bringing in most states of central and eastern Europe… Continue Reading

The Impacts of Local and Regional Procurement of US Food Aid: Learning Alliance Synthesis Report

The Impacts of Local and Regional Procurement of US Food Aid: Learning Alliance Synthesis Report – Erin C. Lentz1, Christopher B. Barrett and Miguel I. Gómez, Cornell University “Local and regional procurement (LRP), the purchase of food within the country where it is to be distributed or in a nearby country, has been practiced for… Continue Reading

The Cost of Satisfaction: A National Study of Patient Satisfaction, Health Care Utilization, Expenditures, and Mortality

The Cost of Satisfaction: A National Study of Patient Satisfaction, Health Care Utilization, Expenditures, and Mortality “While most health care quality metrics assess care processes and health outcomes, patient experience or satisfaction is considered a complementary measure of health care quality. Patient satisfaction data may empower consumers to compare health plans and physicians, and both… Continue Reading

Treasury Releases FY2013 Greenbook

“Treasury released the Treasury Greenbook, which provides an explanation of the Administration’s revenue proposals for Fiscal Year 2013. The Administration’s FY2013 budget proposes tax policy to boost growth, create jobs and improve opportunity for the middle class.” General Explanations of the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2013 Revenue Proposals (Released February 2012) Continue Reading

IMF – Spillovers to Low-Income Countries: Importance of Systemic Emerging Markets

Spillovers to Low-Income Countries: Importance of Systemic Emerging Markets. Author/Editor: Dabla-Norris, Era; Espinoza, Raphael A.; Jahan, Sarwat. February 01, 2012 “This paper documents the expanding economic linkages between low-income countries (LICs) and a narrow group of “Emerging Market leaders” that have become major players in regional and global trade and financial flows. VAR models show… Continue Reading

Report – Sick Of Soot: How The EPA Can Save Lives By Cleaning Up Fine Particle Air Pollution

“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must soon update national health standards for fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5), commonly referred to as soot—a major cause of premature death and a widespread threat to those who suffer from lung and heart disease. The national health standards are critical tools that drive the cleanup of soot… Continue Reading