Research Library

The Affordable Care Act and changing economic conditions have encouraged the integration of physicians and hospitals. The objective of the study is to examine how hospitals and physicians have transitioned between integration levels over time.

The results of a study conducted by the authors show that unconventional oil and gas development is a job creator at the state level. This document summarizes a report on these results published by Energy Economics.

The oil production targets agreed to at the November 30, 2016, OPEC meeting have created the firmest prospect in the past two years of a meaningful oil price recovery. If WTI prices rise and stabilize in the $60/bbl range, how fast can U.S. shale producers respond? This brief addresses the question and highlights the challenges U.S. unconventional liquids producers will likely face during a scale-up. It also points out price and timing inflection points likely to broadly influence industry decision-making.

NAFTA has become increasingly more controversial in the United States. U.S. firms and workers are best served by an examination of the agreement to improve and modernize the relationship and make it more equitable to all partners. This will benefit America’s economy, and that of Canada and Mexico.

During the 85th Legislative Session, Texas lawmakers have the opportunity to enact reforms to the current process by which the state selects its judges—in partisan elections in combination with a straight-ticket voting option. Political science fellow Mark P. Jones analyzes four reform options and their respective advantages and disadvantages.

Although the energy challenge is significant and requires a long-term view to be successfully addressed, long-term goals can be sustainably achieved through fundamental research and development.

Drawing on interviews with male scientists working at prestigious universities, the authors report on ways these men negotiate the tensions between cultural expectations for devotion to work and breadwinning, either compromising work commitments for more time with family or time at home in exchange for increased academic prestige.

Mexico’s energy reforms created a still-developing reality whereby interactions among the players require new rules, new dispute settlement procedures, and far-reaching legal expertise. Importantly, the reforms also redefined the country's prevailing culture and legal norms. This prologue serves as a guide for readers of the series of papers that follow on the impact of energy reforms on Mexico's rule of law.

Repealing Obamacare and replacing it with market-based coverage that is both compassionate and prudent will make health care affordable again, which will guarantee access to insurance coverage for all Americans.

The federal government will need a nuanced approach to properly stimulate small business growth. However, a core focus should be on creating a level playing field for community banks to compete to provide small business loans.