Next Round

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) promotes itself as “the nation’s drug pricing watchdog.”  However, as documented in the first of a series of PRI reports, ICER’s cost-effectiveness analyses contain inappropriate methodologies and subjective judgments in determining the value of medicines.  In this podcast, PRI senior fellow Wayne Winegarden discusses why ICER’s reports contain biased, inaccurate assumptions.

Steven Greenhut, author of the recent PRI book Winning the Water Wars, moderates a panel of water experts and policymakers who preview the course the Biden Administration will likely chart on California water policy.  They also highlight potential landmines in the water debate in the months ahead and discuss how free-market ideas like water markets could secure the state’s water future. Panelists include: Congressman Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, former Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway, and Brett Barbre, General Manager of the Yorba Linda Water District.

Despite the success of charter schools, they have come under attack on multiple fronts.  State lawmakers have enacted state laws that handicap the establishment of charter schools and their operation.  Additionally, charter school opponents have used the Covid-19 pandemic to exacerbate funding disparities between charter schools and traditional public schools.  Lance Izumi, author of the new PRI brief, “New and Emerging Threats Facing Charter Schools,” will lead a panel discussing what charter school parents, students and advocates must do to combat the growing threat from teacher unions, state lawmakers, and a new federal administration hostile to their very existence. Panelists include State Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, Norman Gonzales of John Adams Academy, and Cameron Curry of Classical Academies.

In this podcast, Kerry Jackson and Wayne Winegarden preview their new book No Way Home: The Crisis of Homelessness and How to Fix it with Intelligence and Humanity.  The panel discussion was recorded from PRI’s annual Sacramento Policy Conference in February. Also, Rowena Itchon and Tim Anaya, former gubernatorial speechwriters, in the opening round give their review of Gov. Newsom’s State of the State Address.

This podcast features a virtual debate on free speech and the role of social media platforms in moderating online content. PRI brings together an unmatched team of experts including former Congressman Chris Cox, one of the original authors of Section 230; the Honorable Dan Oliver, one of the country’s leading conservatives and former Federal Trade Commissioner under President Ronald Reagan; and Bartlett Cleland, PRI’s senior fellow in Technology and Innovation and a top expert on tech policy.

In this podcast, PRI Senior Fellow Wayne Winegarden discusses his new study “The Small Business Gig.” The gig economy is one of the fastest growth sectors  in the U.S. But entrenched union power has been leading the charge for more and more restrictions in California and the U.S. Winegarden discusses the importance of the gig economy in creating entrepreneurial businesses and he offers reforms to help spur continued growth.

This podcast is a recording of the health care panel discussion at PRI’s virtual Sacramento Policy Conference. Our All-Star panelists include Sally Pipes, PRI President, CEO, and Thomas W. Smith Fellow in Health Care Policy; Wayne Winegarden, PRI senior fellow in business and economics and director of PRI’s Center for Medical Economics and Innovation; and Dr. Henry Miller, PRI senior fellow in health studies. It also includes introductory remarks from PRI Board Member Daniel Kolkey. PRI’s health care experts discuss health care policy reforms that should be made permanent following the pandemic, and the latest developments on Covid-19 vaccines and therapeutics.

Policymakers in Sacramento and Washington are focusing on how to turn the economy around, keep businesses afloat, and help people stay employed amidst the ongoing pandemic. Elected officials, policy insiders, and free market economists discuss efforts to retain and create new jobs in California, the federal stimulus legislation, and other reforms to reduce costs and economic burdens on employers and employees.  The speakers are: Wayne Winegarden, PRI senior fellow in business and economics and director of PRI’s Center for Medical Economics and Innovation; Chris Edwards of the Cato Institute; Lance Hastings of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, and Professor Michael Thom of USC.

Newly elected Representative Young Kim of Orange County provided the keynote address at this year’s virtual Sacramento Ideas in Action Policy conference. Rep. Kim discusses her first days in Congress, her legislative priorities, and her goal to forge bipartisanship in Washington.

Cynthia Ariosta and Carl Dene of the Coalition of Bay Area Restaurants and Wineries discuss the impact of Gov. Newsom’s on again/off again restrictions on small businesses.  The pandemic has hit California hard, especially small businesses and employees of restaurants and wineries.  Cynthia and Carl provide first-hand experience on what they have done to survive the pandemic, the cost of the outside dining restrictions to  their establishments, and what they would do to help small businesses thrive and prosper in the state.