To slow down coronavirus, we need a public health approach that’s truly ‘public’
Protecting the public health of all us requires protecting the health of each of us, without exception.
March 2020
In the Public Interest
Democracy, shared prosperity, and the common good
In the Public Interest is a comprehensive research and policy center on privatization and responsible contracting.
In the Public Interest
Democracy, shared prosperity, and the common good
In the Public Interest is a comprehensive research and policy center on privatization and responsible contracting.
Privatizing D.C.’s Medicaid system makes zero sense—not even to save money
The nation’s capital recently announced it plans to fully privatize its Medicaid program—which is chilling news. Yes, most of D.C.’s Medicaid recipients already have their health care managed by private insurance [...]
October 2019
Privatizing the VA: Lessons from privatized Medicaid in Kansas and Iowa
Both Kansas and Iowa have suffered cuts in care, reduced far less costs than expected, and sacrificed oversight and transparency after privatizing Medicaid.
March 2018
Iowa’s Privatized Medicaid in “State of Emergency”
Just four months in, Iowa's Medicaid privatization may already be pushing the state's most vulnerable further to the margins.
August 2016
The Nod to Wall Street Buried Deep In Paul Ryan’s “Anti-Poverty” Plan
House Speaker Paul Ryan released a new “anti-poverty” plan last week that would only make it tougher for poor and working families to get by. As expected, the plan cuts from public programs that help low- and [...]
June 2016
What’s the Matter with Texas?
Texas has a reputation as a “business-friendly” state, but when it comes to contracting, is the Lone Star State too friendly with its private-sector vendors? That’s the question now before the state legislators in [...]
February 2015
Social Impact Bonds: Overview and Considerations
This paper provides background information and a framework to help respond to the question of whether a SIB would be a good way to expand funding for a particular intervention or population in a given state or community.
March 2014
Drawing the Line between Public and Private Responsibility in Child Welfare: The Texas Debate
This report analyzes the different outcomes and risks associated with privatizing Child Protective Services case management and the delivery of services.
August 2008
Public Benefits Privatization and Modernization: Recent Developments and Advocacy
This report summarizes recent efforts in states to modernize and privatize their eligibility determination for public benefits.
May 2008
Peddling Welfare-Privatization Boondoggles
This study looks at the influence of contractors on decision makers for four cases in which Texas privatized human services.
July 2007
Privatization of State Foster Care and Adoption Services
This report examines the problems that would arise from privatizing Texas' child protective services.
April 2007
Updating and Outsourcing Enrollment in Public Benefits: The Texas Experience
This report evaluates Texas' new system for enrolling vulnerable residents in public benefits. [...]
December 2006
Safety Net for Sale: The Dangers of Privatizing Social Services
This report documents how the history of social services privatization is replete with cost over-runs and service breakdowns.
January 2006
Policy Considerations Relating to Privatization in the Food Stamp Program
This paper considers the inherent limits on states’ ability to reap the benefits of competition when contracting out food stamp program management. [...]
October 2004
Florida’s Experiment with Privatizing Child Welfare Services
This report reviews Florida's five pilot programs - four of which failed - to privatize child welfare services.
April 2004
Mental Health Care in North Carolina: Challenges on the Road to Reform
This article provides an overview of the state's mental health system, including the negative effects of privatization. [...]
October 2003
The Mythology of Privatization in Contracting for Social Services
This analysis finds an absence of competition and public-management capacity in social service contracting, raising the question of why governments contract when these conditions are not met.
May 2003
Privatization of Welfare Services: Delegation by Commercial Contract
This Article argues that the privatization of welfare services via contract with private organizations is inherently fraught with unavoidable due process problems and overstepping of the nondelegation doctrine. [...]
January 2003
Does Contracting Out Increase the Efficiency of Government Programs? Evidence from Medicaid HMOs
This report uses empirical evidence to cast doubt on the hypothesis that HMO contracting has reduced the strain on government budgets.
August 2002
Uncharted Terrain: The Intersection of Privatization and Welfare
In this article we review welfare privatization, identify some of the major issues and challenges for the advocacy community, highlight some experiences in particular states, and discuss some of the tools and strategies [...]
January 2002
Prospecting Among the Poor: Welfare Privatization
This report discusses the privatization of welfare and profiles several of the large contractors in the sector. [...]
May 2001
Legal Accountability in an Era of Privatized Welfare
This article explores the implications of welfare privatization on welfare beneficiaries' procedural rights
May 2001
Nursing Home Privatization: What is the Human Cost?
This report investigates the effects of privatization or attempted privatization on the quality of care at several county and former county nursing homes in Western Pennsylvania. [...]
May 1998