July 2015

Health Care Quality Measurement

commentary
Can Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Improve Health Care?
A review in 2017 of the adequacy and use of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Funds will be used to determine whether funding levels should be continued or adjusted after its authorization runs out in 2019. Researchers ought to take stock of the work in patient-centered outcomes research.
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Jul 31, 2015
The BMJ
Thomas W. Concannon @tconcannon

Military Recruitment

commentary
Go Slow on Arming Recruiters
Several important voices have argued for arming military recruiters in the wake of the recent shootings in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Giving them a chance to fight back against an active shooter may be a sound proposition, but practicalities of military recruiting suggest a patient and thoughtful policy review.
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Jul 31, 2015
The Hill
Ben Connable
Terrorism Threat Assessment

commentary
The 1970s and the Birth of Contemporary Terrorism
While terrorism worldwide has increased over the past four decades — and the threat of terrorism continues to dominate Americans' fears — the 14 years since 9/11 have been tranquil on the home front compared to the violent 1970s.
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Jul 30, 2015
The Hill
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Medicare

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Medicare at 50: How Reforming End-of-Life Care Could Benefit It for Years to Come
As Medicare turns 50, skyrocketing health care costs and the aging of baby boomers both threaten the program's long-term viability. One solution that could go a long way would be to change the way the program handles and pays for end-of-life care.
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Jul 30, 2015
U.S. News & World Report
Erin Audrey Taylor
Public Utilities

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What Durban Can Teach Detroit: Getting Customers to Pay Their Water Bills
South Africa is proving that governments in poor cities can provide water and collect payment without turning off the water spigot. Detroit and Baltimore might consider exploring models like this that have been successfully tested in even more challenging settings.
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Jul 29, 2015
The RAND Blog
Julia Pollak
Immigrants and Emigrants

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Should Undocumented Immigrant Youth Pay In-State Tuition to Attend College?
Undocumented children are entitled to free primary and secondary public education everywhere in the United States, regardless of their legal status. But when they finish high school, their options for college vary depending on the state in which they live.
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Jul 28, 2015
The RAND Blog
Robert Bozick
International Diplomacy

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It's Time to Reboot Our Relationship with Russia and Iran's Neighbors
In implementing the prospective Iran nuclear agreement, the West cannot forget its engagement in the vulnerable South Caucasus. The Iran deal changes the equation for all three countries and perhaps opens new opportunities.
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Jul 28, 2015
Newsweek
Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, et al.
Iran

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Post Deal, Can Rouhani Deliver on Promises of Reform?
Rouhani was elected president because he offered hope; he claimed that the nuclear agreement would be the key to unlock or solve Iran's problems. But it will take more than that to make Iran a better place to live. Can he achieve his people's dreams? Is he even willing?
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Jul 24, 2015
Al-Monitor
Alireza Nader
Crime

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El Chapo's Prison Escape Should Come as No Surprise
Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzman's Sinaloa Cartel and similar criminal organizations have long used tunnels to literally undermine security along the U.S.-Mexico border.
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Jul 24, 2015
Fox News Channel
Scott Savitz
The Internet

commentary
War on the Web
While the U.S. Cyber Command is preparing the nation's defenses for the coming ramp-up in cyberwarfare-like attacks, the messages spread instantly by hordes of attackers through social media may not be receiving the attention they deserve.
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Jul 23, 2015
U.S. News & World Report
Morten Bay, Isaac R. Porche III
Threat Assessment

commentary
Reports of Global Disorder Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
Deterring Russia, channeling growing Chinese power, and working with others to dismantle the Islamic State are daunting challenges, but not greater than rebuilding post-World War II Europe, containing the Soviet Union, ending the Cold War, and promoting democratic governance throughout much of the modern world.
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Jul 22, 2015
Foreign Policy
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Transportation Economics

commentary
Pay as You Go
Using vehicle miles traveled as a means of distributing the cost of maintaining America's roads and bridges may not be the only answer, but it represents the kind of innovative thinking that is necessary at a time when this sector of the American transportation infrastructure is desperately in need of a fix.
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Jul 22, 2015
Politico
Liisa Ecola
Iran

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Iran Deal or No Deal
A U.S. rejection of the Iran nuclear agreement would send the wrong message, not only to Iran but also to America's closest allies, and it would not serve American interests in the region.
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Jul 22, 2015
War on the Rocks
William Courtney @courtneywmh, Alireza Nader
Diet and Eating Habits

commentary
Junk Food: Why People Can't Control Themselves and What to Do About It
Americans consumed far less junk when it wasn't so widespread. Consumption accelerated when marketers discovered they could stimulate 'impulse buys.'
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Jul 21, 2015
The RAND Blog
Deborah A. Cohen
International Diplomacy

commentary
Peace in the Middle East: America's New Post-Iran Deal Challenge
It is no surprise that the final Iran nuclear deal was met with opposition in Israel and Saudi Arabia. For all the talk about whether or not this is a good deal, negotiating with Iran was the original sin from their perspective.
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Jul 20, 2015
The National Interest
Dalia Dassa Kaye, Jeffrey Martini
Refugees

commentary
Help Syria Avoid a 'Lost Generation'
Young Syrian refugees are brimming with potential, but lack the educational and livelihood pathways through which to channel their energy and aspirations. As the international community looks for ways to end the violence in the region, it must not overlook the plight or the potential of these children.
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Jul 17, 2015
U.S. News & World Report
Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson, Tom Ling, et al.