Variation in levels of professionalism in healthcare policymaking during the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations.

During the Trump administration it was widely asserted in the news media that the administration's agency appointees were less professional than appointees from previous administrations. Using qualitative data from 35 interviews with lobbyists, congressional staffers, and executive branch officials, and quantitative and qualitative data on years of relevant experience and job type at the date of nomination, it is demonstrated that indeed the Trump administration attracted less talent than the Obama and Biden administrations, which resulted in less supply and demand for expertise and thus a diminished role of expertise in the policymaking process.

Effect of Eased Restrictions for Aca-Exempt Short-Term Health Plans on Marketplace Premiums and Uninsured Rate: A Difference in Differences Analysis.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) established broad standards for private health insurance in the United States including requiring minimum essential benefits and prohibiting medical underwriting, but the law also permitted some exceptions. This paper examines one type of exempt plan option, Short-Term, Limited Duration Insurance (STLDI) that is not required to fully meet ACA benefit and underwriting standards. Federal rules governing STLDI plans have changed over time, with more permissive rules in the Trump administration allowing individuals to remain covered for longer durations of time relative to the original Obama regulations.