Freedom & Progress 2024

Instead of offering a hand up, the U.S. welfare system often traps low-income Americans in cycles of dependency through broken incentives and steep benefit cliffs, which penalize those who try to work their way out of the system. This panel will explore innovative ways to reduce benefit cliffs and create pathways to financial independence, empowering more Americans to transition off assistance and build sustainable, self-sufficient futures.

Rising health care costs continue to burden American families, with provider and hospital pricing playing a significant role. This panel will dive into the factors driving these price increases, including market consolidation, opaque pricing practices, and the lack of competition. Experts will discuss the impact of these trends on patients and explore potential policy solutions to make health care more affordable and transparent.