Sep 12 Watch 8:39 How U.S.-China trade war is pinching profits for Maine’s lobster industry By Paul Solman Trade tensions between the U.S. and China are not expected to ease anytime soon, and in New England, tariffs are clawing away at lobster profits. Lobstering is a $1.5 billion industry that helps keep Maine’s economy afloat. But due to… Continue watching
Sep 11 3 problems that are spiking health care costs, according to this surgeon By Philip Moeller In his new book, Dr. Marty Makary laments that many of his colleagues have abandoned the Hippocratic Oath in favor of charging inflated prices for surgeries and health procedures that are not in their patients’ best interests. Continue reading
Sep 10 Is the rise in U.S. corporate debt cause for concern? By Daniel Bergstresser, Econofact SEC chairman Jay Clayton said the U.S. corporate debt of almost $10 trillion, which equates to half of the nation's annual GDP, "should attract our attention."… Continue reading
Sep 06 Why the Federal Reserve must remain above political influence By Michael W. Klein President Donald Trump on Friday again encouraged the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. Continue reading
Aug 30 Why you shouldn’t be afraid to talk to your health insurer By Philip Moeller Your health insurer knows more about your coverage than anyone, including the often inscrutable rules about what’s covered and how much you pay for coverage in premiums, annual deductibles and co-pays. Continue reading
Aug 29 Watch 10:23 Can an infusion of public R&D investment revitalize a lagging economy? By Paul Solman The U.S. government spends about 0.7 percent of GDP on scientific research and development, down from 2 percent in the 1960s. Less investment means fewer chances for breakthroughs like the weapon-seeking robots that saved thousands of soldiers in Iraq and… Continue watching
Aug 29 Could expanding access to contraception improve economic outcomes? By Andrea M. Kelly, Jason Lindo, Analisa Packham, Econofact A new rule from the Trump administration could decrease funding to providers of long-acting reversible contraceptives, which contribute to improved economic outcomes. Continue reading
Aug 22 What is an endangered species worth? Trump rule sparks debate By Gretchen Frazee The Trump administration could soon start to publicize the economic cost of listing a species as threatened or endangered, under new rules finalized this month. Continue reading
Aug 22 Column: Employers are helping clear the haze on health care prices By Philip Moeller Employers are encouraging employees to use lower-cost, high-quality providers because it saves employers money as well. Continue reading
Aug 20 Watch 7:22 CEOs are saying they need to be more socially minded. Will anything change? For decades, the driving goal for corporate America has been maximizing stockholders' profits. So what made nearly 200 of the country's most prominent companies issue a joint statement this week, representing a major philosophical shift? John Yang talks to Steven… Continue watching