Research Library

There is a flood of information about the coronavirus pandemic. In this Baker Institute blog, health policy fellow Vivian Ho provides links to some of the best sources followed by career health policy researchers.

In the second of a series of blogs on the coronovirus outbreak, the authors sound a note of cautious optimism: "We hope for a relatively optimistic outlook for the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, with the quick realization of all modifying interventions: earlier and broader testing, strict preventive hygienic and societal measures, a safe and effective vaccine, and effective therapies to treat the virus."  Read more at the Baker Institute Blog.

Fellow David A. Gantz discusses several provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement that have been carried over to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) including regulations for government procurement, trade remedies, temporary entry for business visitors, and general exceptions or limitations on the application of the trade agreement. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25613/334z-tp66

Mexico’s government should prioritize early childhood education, but its decision to reduce the budget and replace a childhood centers program for the disadvantaged indicates it does not, writes graduate fellow Daniel Prudencio.

This article reviews certain elements of employee retirement plans and their tax implications, as well as the often-overlooked component of employer matching. Read more on the Baker Institute Blog: http://bit.ly/36T9sft

Mexico’s 2013 energy reform, which opened its hydrocarbon and electricity industries to private investors, increased the autonomy and independence of its regulatory commissions. However, recent decisions by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador now threaten these institutions, writes nonresident scholar Miriam Grunstein.

The authors examine the investments, trade-offs and broad policy changes necessary to reimagine the U.S. health care delivery system.

Soda taxes have been proposed to help curb consumption and improve health outcomes. Fellow Joyce Beebe reviews recent attempts at taxing these beverages and provides practical policy solutions.

Given the growing problems associated with plastics, what policy approaches are best equipped to manage global plastic pollution? Policies invoking a modified version of the precautionary principle might be a useful approach, writes energy fellow Rachel A. Meidl.

This author examines the main characteristics of Mexican immigrant-owned small and medium-sized businesses established in the United States, and the opportunities and challenges they face.