When art coaxed the soul of America back to life

With arts funding in the U.S. currently shaped largely by private donors and declining state and federal funding, Sheila D. Collins looks back to the New Deal’s federal arts projects. She writes that initiatives such as the Works Progress Administration Arts Project not only set the ground for the flowering of the graphic arts in the U.S., but also provided employment for thousands of authors, critics, musicians, photographers and artists who would become famous for their later works

What Kerry and Obama could learn from FDR on the environment

After successfully seeing the country through the Great Depression and the toughest years of World War II, Franklin D. Roosevelt is widely remembered to be one of the greatest president’s in U.S. history. In addition to these impressive accomplishments Sheila D. Collins argues that FDR was one of the country’s greatest environmental leaders, creating the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Soil Conservation Service, and the Tennessee Valley Authority within his first 100 days to combat the Dust Bowl, flooding, and other environmental disasters faced during his time in office. She writes that President Obama and John Kerry would do well to emulate Roosevelt as they turn their attention to global warming

Review of \u3cem\u3eTo Promote the General Welfare: The Case for Big Government.\u3c/em\u3e Steven Conn (Ed.). Reviewed by Sheila D. Collins

Book review of Steven Conn, (Ed.), To Promote the General Welfare: The Case for Big Government. Oxford University Press (2012). $19.95. (paperback)

An Analysis of Leading Congressional Health Care Bills, 2007-2008: Part I, Insurance Coverage

Compares coverage and cost estimates of bills to improve health coverage through private-public approaches, universal public insurance, tax changes, increased coverage for children and the disabled, expanded health savings accounts, and other strategies

Women at Risk: Why Many Women Are Forgoing Needed Health Care

Based on Commonwealth Fund 2007 Biennial Health Insurance Survey data, compares women's rates of uninsurance or underinsurance, sources of coverage, out-of-pocket and premium expenses, access to care, medical debt, and unmet needs, with those of men

Realizing Health Reform's Potential: Women and the Affordable Care Act of 2010

Outlines the 2010 healthcare reform provisions that will benefit women, including subsidized and improved coverage and bans on lifetime caps, rescissions, and rating on gender. Analyzes how each will address women's growing exposure to healthcare costs

The 2008 Presidential Candidates' Health Reform Proposals: Choices for America

Looks at key differences in the 2008 presidential candidates' health insurance reforms and evaluates them against the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System's principles. Estimates each plan's impact on the number of uninsured

Maintaining Health Insurance During a Recession: Likely COBRA Eligibility

Assesses laid-off workers' eligibility and financial ability to extend employer-sponsored insurance through COBRA. Recommends extending COBRA and providing premium assistance, as well as expanding Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs

Failure to Protect: Why the Individual Insurance Market Is Not a Viable Option for Most U.S. Families

Based on the Commonwealth Fund 2007 Biennial Health Insurance Survey, examines access to and affordability of individual insurance. Reviews obstacles to obtaining coverage, such as health issues and costs, and out-of-pocket costs of those who obtain it

Out of Options: Why So Many Workers in Small Businesses Lack Affordable Health Insurance, and How Health Care Reform Can Help

Based on the 2007 Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey, examines small business employees' limited access to health insurance and contributing factors. Explores how small businesses and employees could benefit from proposed reforms