Opinions Archive - Morning Consult

To Grow Our Economy and Create Jobs, U.S. Must Win the Race to 5G Wireless

America’s leadership of the industries of the future — from connected health care to autonomous vehicles and more — is at risk. A global race to be the first to deploy 5G — fifth generation wireless networks — is underway, and China, Japan and South Korea, among others, are doing everything they can to win.

Minority Communities Need Better Health Care, Not Counterfeit Drugs

As a nation, we must continue to prioritize high-quality health care for every American, regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic status.

Debunking an Obamacare Myth — and Fixing the System

As congressional Republicans continue to work on a bill intended to replace the Affordable Care Act, we can expect a lot of rhetoric and commentary about Obamacare’s imminent demise, fueled by news reports about insurers withdrawing from state ACA exchanges.

Pipeline Fighters Take a Stand in Virginia Vote

Much has been written about last week’s Democratic gubernatorial primary in Virginia, where former Rep. Tom Perriello challenged establishment candidate Ralph Northam in a late charge.

Novel Idea: Pick a Pro-Patent Patent Office Chief

Following five months of intrigue, the last Obama-appointed head of the patent office, Michelle Lee, has resigned. President Donald Trump will now appoint a new director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Outcomes-Based Drug Contracts Do Not Move Us Closer to Value

Polls show that high drug prices are voters’ No. 1 concern in health care. Unsurprising, given that the U.S. ranks highest both in drug spending and in patients stopping their medications because they are unaffordable.

Brazilians Rebel Against Data Caps. The Rest of the World Should, Too.

Fixed broadband internet at home has revolutionized how we communicate with our friends and family, as well as how we access information, news and entertainment. Few things are more important for the development of our societies, economies and democracies than making sure that people have access to affordable unlimited broadband at home.

Pai Needs to Restore Integrity to FCC’s Net Neutrality Proceedings

From where I stand now, and given my experience as a former FCC commissioner, I can safely say that the Federal Communications Commission’s process is broken. Chairman Ajit Pai has an opportunity to restore integrity, openness and transparency to the FCC. But will he?

Conservative Groups Mislead on Hearing Aid Deregulation

One would think a proposal to deregulate the hearing aid market would be embraced by free-market advocates. And yet conservative groups are pushing back on a bill that would do just that, putting themselves firmly in the camp of hearing aid manufacturers.

Electric Power Industry, Government Work Together to Protect the Grid

More and more, we are reading about new cybersecurity threats and hearing commentary about how critical infrastructure is in the crosshairs of adversaries around the world.

Briefings

Washington Brief: Trump Says He’s ‘Very Supportive’ of Senate Health Bill

President Donald Trump said he is “very supportive” of the Senate GOP’s health care legislation. He said the four Republican senators who are not on board with the measure are “good guys,” and that there is a “narrow path” to gaining their support and passing the bill.

Brands Brief: Polling Shows Kalanick’s Resignation May Bring Back Customers

Uber Technologies Inc. losing its CEO after investor pressure could ultimately benefit the company. According to a recent poll, more than a quarter of people who said the negative news about the company caused them to use Uber less indicated the company could win them back by shaking up leadership — including removing the CEO.

Tech Brief: FCC Greenlights Next-Gen Satellite Internet Project

The Federal Communications Commission gave OneWeb LLC, a global communications company, approval to use airwaves to beam its future next-generation satellite internet service down to U.S. customers. Low-orbit satellite internet could solve the problem of providing rural broadband access due to its independence from ground cables.

Finance Brief: Big Banks Pass First Round of Fed’s Stress Tests

Thirty-four banks received passing grades on their stress tests, the first of two examination results set for release this month by the Federal Reserve. Fed Gov. Jerome Powell said the strength of this year’s exam cycle shows that banks would retain strong capital holdings even in the event of a major financial crisis.

Energy Brief: EPA Issues New Chemical Testing Rules

The EPA released rules ordered by Congress last year on testing for chemicals used in commercial products.

Health Brief: Conservative Senators Team Up to Challenge Health Care Bill

Senate Republicans’ bill to replace the Affordable Care Act is facing pushback from four of the chamber’s most conservative members, who have banded together to enhance their negotiating position.

Brands Brief: 61 Percent of Millennials Prefer Gmail

Google Inc.’s email service Gmail is the most frequently used email service, according to a recent poll, but over a quarter of people are still using their Yahoo Mail accounts the most.

Washington Brief: Senate Republicans to Release Health Care Bill Today

Senate Republicans are set to reveal their health care bill today, even as some divisions remain among GOP senators. The legislation is expected to include provisions that would reduce spending on Medicaid, end funding for Planned Parenthood and roll back some taxes.

Tech Brief: Russian Hackers Targeted Elections in 21 States, DHS Official Says

A U.S. Department of Homeland Security official told the Senate Intelligence Committee that Russian hackers targeted election-related databases in 21 different states leading up to the 2016 presidential election. Only two states — Arizona and Illinois — have been publicly identified as having their election systems targeted, and officials would not comment on the identities of the other 19 states.

Energy Brief: Zinke Plans to Cut Interior Workforce by 4,000

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke testified before Senate about his plans to cut 4,000 employees (about 8 percent of his department’s workforce) through attrition, buyouts and reassignments.