Merrill Matthews, Ph.D., is a resident scholar with the Institute for Policy Innovation, a research-based, public policy “think tank.” He is a health policy expert and opinion contributor at The Hill. He also serves on the Texas Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
Dr. Matthews is a past president of the Health Economics Roundtable for the National Association for Business Economics, the largest trade association of business economists. Dr. Matthews also served for 10 years as the medical ethicist for the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center’s Institutional Review Board for Human Experimentation, co-author of On the Edge: America Faces the Entitlements Cliff, and has contributed chapters to several books, including Physician Assisted Suicide: Expanding the Debate and The 21st Century Health Care Leader and Stop Paying the Crooks (on Medicare fraud).
He has been published in numerous journals and newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal, Investor’s Business Daily, Barron’s, USA Today, Forbes magazine and the Washington Times. He was an award-winning political analyst for the USA Radio Network.
Dr. Matthews received his Ph.D. in Humanities from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Don't Impose New Fears on Old Vaccines (Audio: Podcast)
IPI’s Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews explains how increasing vaccine skepticism threatens outbreaks of dreaded diseases that have been under control for decades. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
Biden Administration Attacks Independent Contractors (Audio: Podcast)
The Biden administration has yielded to pressure from labor unions to restrict the qualifications for independent contractor status, which is intended to make it easier to unionize “gig economy” workers. But this is a terrible idea, and when California tried the same thing it forced many independent contractors out of work. The modern economy should make it easier, not harder, for Americans to have flexible work and earnings options. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti and Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
How EVs Will Strand Cold State Drivers (Audio: Podcast)
With a polar vortex bearing down on much of the nation, IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews reminds us that electric vehicles (EVs) suffer significant performance deficits in very cold weather. So the current generation of EVs may not be the best choice for residents of cold states. As with everything else, choice should be left to consumers through free markets rather than having change forced upon the entire country through federal mandate.
IPI Policy Basics: What Are Tax Extenders and Why Do They Matter? (Audio: Podcast)
IPI President Tom Giovanetti explains why every year the country is faces with the issues of tax extenders, why they are important but also why they are a symptom of a dysfunctional congressional process. With IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
What Trump Can Learn from Switzerland on Tariffs (Audio: Podcast)
Switzerland is dropping almost all its tariffs, in order to reduce prices to consumers. Having enjoyed time in Switzerland, both IPI President Tom Giovanetti and IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews use this opportunity to discuss tariffs, why consumers rather than exporters pay them, and why in general tariffs should be avoided.
Trump Is Right--Obamacare Sucks (Audio: Podcast)
Recently Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social media platform that “Obamacare sucks.” We at IPI don’t always agree with Trump’s sentiments, but in this case, IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews explains why Trump is right, and Obamacare has only made healthcare worse. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
When the Biden Administration Goes Marching In (Audio: Podcast)
Today the Biden administration announced a proposal to aggressively use federal “march in” rights to seize patents from pharmaceutical companies and “other inventions.” IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews explains what march in rights are, and why what the Biden administration is proposing is very, very bad. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
Bidenomics is Xi-conomics with American Characteristics (Audio: Podcast)
IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews points out that Biden’s agenda to fundamentally change and direct the U.S. economy from the Executive Branch mirrors the mistakes of authoritarian governments like China’s trying to run the economy through command and control. And the conversation inspires IPI President Tom Giovanetti to rant about the importance of separation of powers and staying in your lane.
Who's Afraid of an Anarcho-Capitalist? (Audio: Podcast)
We discuss Argentina, its tremendous natural resources and its history of terrible governance, in light of the recent election of self-proclaimed libertarian Javier Milei. IPI President Tom Giovanetti and Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews wish Milei the very best and praise the Argentine people for making the choice for change from Peronism.
Are There No Limits to the Biden Administration's FTC Power Grabs? (Audio: Podcast)
When you elect a president, you don’t just elect a single person—you elect a team of 3,000+ appointed bureaucrats and staffers. And Joe Biden’s team is comprised of progressive left radicals like the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Lina Kahn. In addition to going after companies like Google and Amazon, and in addition to opposing even her own staff in opposing mergers, Kahn is going after prescription drug company’s patents. But the “patent thicket” argument is largely bogus. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti and Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
Joe Biden--Organized Crime's Best Friend (Audio: Podcast)
By neglecting the border crisis, Joe Biden has created jobs—jobs with the cartels in Mexico and Central America. When there is a vacuum of law enforcement, criminal elements fill the void and find ways to profit. Cartels are now moving migrants as well as drugs across the border. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
Spending, Spending and Even More Spending: A Closer Look at Federal Debt and Deficits (Audio: Podcast)
Mathematical economist John Early joins IPI's Dr. Merrill Matthews to discuss President Biden's federal spending spree, his new spending proposals, and what, if anything, can be done to keep the country from falling off a fiscal cliff.
Biden Seeks to Preemptively Regulate Artificial Intelligence (Audio: Podcast)
Technology expert Dr. Dan Garretson joins IPI's Dr. Merrill Matthews to discuss President Biden's new executive order seeking preemptive regulation of artificial intelligence and Vice President Kamala Harris's AI speeches in Great Britain.
States Have Rainy Day Funds--Why Can't Washington? (Audio: Podcast)
IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews shares data on how almost all U.S. states actually maintain rainy day funds, and also manage to balance their budgets and even run surpluses. So why can’t Washington DC? With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
Does Big Tech Need More Regulation? (Audio: Podcast)
IPI President Tom Giovanetti provides a backgrounder on the debate around the regulation of major internet platform companies, in anticipation of IPI’s October 20th Distinguished Lecture Series luncheon. With IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
Total Records: 704
