Galen Institute
Encyclopedia
The Galen Institute is a non-profit public policy
research organization based in Alexandria, Virginia
. Founded in 1995 by Grace-Marie Turner, the Galen Institute's stated mission is "advancing free-market ideas in health policy, promoting a more informed public debate over ideas that support innovation, individual freedom, consumer choice, and competition in the health sector
". According to a 2003 profile of the organization from Human Events
magazine, the Galen Institute is the "only free-market think tank solely dedicated to...putting individuals rather than corporate or government bureaucrats in charge of health care decisions."
, and more on advocating against the increasing role of the federal government in the American health sector
, proposing changes to existing government proposals, and working to inform the public about the health reform debate.
The Galen Institute receives its funding from donations and grants from corporations, foundations, and individuals both inside and outside the pharmaceutical and medical industries.
, the second century Greek physician who, along with Hippocrates
, was one of the first and most influential health figures in the ancient world.
Much like its name, the Galen Institute's logo
is also symbolic, representing what the Galen Institute describes as a fundamental problem in the American health sector
: a lack of coverage
among the middle class
. The blue graph in the logo shows the number of Americans who have health insurance coverage; the poorest Americans (on the left side of the graph) are covered through government subsidies and programs such as Medicaid
and SCHIP. The wealthiest Americans (on the right side of the graph) are covered through their employers. The group making an average of $30,000 in annual income (the gap in the middle) makes too much to qualify for federal assistance, but too little to have employer-based insurance.
The Galen Institute also states that their key goals are to: "Educate policymakers about the dangers that government control over the health sector pose to our economy and our society." To "reach out through the media to educate the public about the crucial importance of continued innovation to advance medical progress, and to attract new audiences to our message through the use of their newsletter, websites, and a variety of media tools."
. Today, the Consensus Group works to promote free-market health solutions through consumer driven reforms, and provides "guidelines for a more efficient and equitable system to help the uninsured" to policy makers and lawmakers.
Among the print, television, radio and online outlets in which the Galen Institute has appeared are:
Public policy
Public policy as government action is generally the principled guide to action taken by the administrative or executive branches of the state with regard to a class of issues in a manner consistent with law and institutional customs. In general, the foundation is the pertinent national and...
research organization based in Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
. Founded in 1995 by Grace-Marie Turner, the Galen Institute's stated mission is "advancing free-market ideas in health policy, promoting a more informed public debate over ideas that support innovation, individual freedom, consumer choice, and competition in the health sector
Health care in the United States
Health care in the United States is provided by many separate legal entities. Health care facilities are largely owned and operated by the private sector...
". According to a 2003 profile of the organization from Human Events
Human Events
Human Events is a weekly American conservative magazine. It takes its name from the first sentence of the United States Declaration of Independence...
magazine, the Galen Institute is the "only free-market think tank solely dedicated to...putting individuals rather than corporate or government bureaucrats in charge of health care decisions."
Founding and early activities
The Galen Institute was founded by Grace-Marie Turner in 1995 as a response to attempts to reform the United States's health care system in 1993. Their first conference was held a year later, in 1996 on Capital Hill in Washington D.C., and was titled A Fresh Approach to Health Care Reform. The papers presented at the conference were later published into a peer-reviewed volume, titled Empowering Health Care Consumers through Tax Reform. While this opposition was the initial focus of the organization, by the late 1990s Galen focused less on critiquing specific health reform initiativesHealth care reform in the United States
Health care reform in the United States has a long history, of which the most recent results were two federal statutes enacted in 2010: the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act , signed March 23, 2010, and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 , which amended the PPACA and...
, and more on advocating against the increasing role of the federal government in the American health sector
Health care in the United States
Health care in the United States is provided by many separate legal entities. Health care facilities are largely owned and operated by the private sector...
, proposing changes to existing government proposals, and working to inform the public about the health reform debate.
The Galen Institute receives its funding from donations and grants from corporations, foundations, and individuals both inside and outside the pharmaceutical and medical industries.
Name and logo
The Galen Institute is named after GalenGalen
Aelius Galenus or Claudius Galenus , better known as Galen of Pergamon , was a prominent Roman physician, surgeon and philosopher...
, the second century Greek physician who, along with Hippocrates
Hippocrates
Hippocrates of Cos or Hippokrates of Kos was an ancient Greek physician of the Age of Pericles , and is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine...
, was one of the first and most influential health figures in the ancient world.
Much like its name, the Galen Institute's logo
Logo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
is also symbolic, representing what the Galen Institute describes as a fundamental problem in the American health sector
Health care in the United States
Health care in the United States is provided by many separate legal entities. Health care facilities are largely owned and operated by the private sector...
: a lack of coverage
Uninsured in the United States
The number of persons without health insurance coverage in the United States is one of the primary concerns raised by advocates of health care reform. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2009 there were 50.7 million people in the US who were without health insurance...
among the middle class
Middle class
The middle class is any class of people in the middle of a societal hierarchy. In Weberian socio-economic terms, the middle class is the broad group of people in contemporary society who fall socio-economically between the working class and upper class....
. The blue graph in the logo shows the number of Americans who have health insurance coverage; the poorest Americans (on the left side of the graph) are covered through government subsidies and programs such as Medicaid
Medicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
and SCHIP. The wealthiest Americans (on the right side of the graph) are covered through their employers. The group making an average of $30,000 in annual income (the gap in the middle) makes too much to qualify for federal assistance, but too little to have employer-based insurance.
Core beliefs and goals
According to the mission statement on their website, the Galen Institute's core beliefs are that: "Consumers and their physicians should have authority and responsibility over health care decisions, and the vibrant free market will encourage research and innovation and provide better access to new medical technologies." "A market that supports innovation will lead to lower costs, expanded choice, and increased access to better medical care."The Galen Institute also states that their key goals are to: "Educate policymakers about the dangers that government control over the health sector pose to our economy and our society." To "reach out through the media to educate the public about the crucial importance of continued innovation to advance medical progress, and to attract new audiences to our message through the use of their newsletter, websites, and a variety of media tools."
Health Policy Consensus Group
The Health Policy Consensus Group, formed in 1993, is a non-partisan affiliation of health policy experts from various market-based think tanks coordinated and facilitated by the Galen Institute. The Consensus Group began with a focus on increasing public awareness regarding the role of taxes on employment-based health insurance and how these taxes impact the health care system in the United StatesHealth care in the United States
Health care in the United States is provided by many separate legal entities. Health care facilities are largely owned and operated by the private sector...
. Today, the Consensus Group works to promote free-market health solutions through consumer driven reforms, and provides "guidelines for a more efficient and equitable system to help the uninsured" to policy makers and lawmakers.
Health Reform Hub
In October 2009, the Galen Institute launched the Health Reform Hub, a website that provides a portal to resources concerning free-market health care reform. Including critical analysis from industry leaders and assessments of reforms being considered in Washington D.C. and around the country. The Hub features a daily collection of the latest news articles, commentaries, video clips, radio interviews, and infographics from members of the Galen Institute and opinion leaders in the health sector.Scholars, trustees and fellows
- Joseph Antos - Wilson H. Taylor Scholar in Health Care and Retirement Policy, American Enterprise InstituteAmerican Enterprise InstituteThe American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research is a conservative think tank founded in 1943. Its stated mission is "to defend the principles and improve the institutions of American freedom and democratic capitalism—limited government, private enterprise, individual liberty and...
; former assistant director for health policy, Congressional Budget OfficeCongressional Budget OfficeThe Congressional Budget Office is a federal agency within the legislative branch of the United States government that provides economic data to Congress....
- James Capretta - senior fellow, Ethics and Public Policy CenterEthics and Public Policy CenterThe Ethics and Public Policy Center is a Washington, D.C.-based conservative advocacy group. Formed in 1976 by Ernest W. Lefever, who was its president until 1989, the group describes itself as "dedicated to applying the Judeo-Christian moral tradition to critical issues of public policy."Since...
; former associate director, White House Office of Management and Budget
- Brian Lee CrowleyBrian Lee CrowleyBrian Lee Crowley, is Managing Director of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, a national public policy think tank based in Ottawa...
- founder and managing director, the McDonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa, Canada; former president, the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS)
- John Hoff - former deputy assistant secretary, United States Department of Health and Human ServicesUnited States Department of Health and Human ServicesThe United States Department of Health and Human Services is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America"...
.
- Douglas Holtz-EakinDouglas Holtz-EakinDouglas J. "Doug" Holtz-Eakin is an American economist, former professor, former Director of the Congressional Budget Office and former chief economic policy adviser to U.S...
- former fellow, Manhattan InstituteManhattan InstituteThe Manhattan Institute for Policy Research is a conservative, market-oriented think tank established in New York City in 1978 by Antony Fisher and William J...
; former director, Congressional Budget OfficeCongressional Budget OfficeThe Congressional Budget Office is a federal agency within the legislative branch of the United States government that provides economic data to Congress....
- Grace-Marie Turner - founder and president, the Galen Institute
Selected studies and publications
- Arnett, Grace-Marie. Empowering Health Care Consumers through Tax Reform. New York: University of Michigan, 1999.
- "Competition in the Health Care Marketplace: Testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation." Grace-Marie Turner. July 16, 2009.
- "Massachusetts’ Health Reform Plan: Miracle or Muddle?" Grace-Marie Turner and Tara Persico. June 26, 2009.
- "Providing Coverage For All Through Private Health Insurance." Grace-Marie Turner. May 18, 2009.
Media coverage, op-eds and commentary
The Galen Institute has been featured in a number of major media outlets; including coverage of the organization, submission of op-eds, and commentary from members of Galen and the Health Policy Consensus Group.Among the print, television, radio and online outlets in which the Galen Institute has appeared are:
- Wall Street Journal,
- New York Times,
- Washington Post
- Investor's Business DailyInvestor's Business DailyInvestor's Business Daily is a national newspaper in the United States, published Monday through Friday, that covers international business, finance, and the global economy...
- Washington Times,
- National JournalNational JournalNational Journal is a nonpartisan American weekly magazine that reports on the current political environment and emerging political and policy trends. National Journal was first published in 1969. Times Mirror owned the magazine from 1986 to 1997, when it was purchased by David G. Bradley...
- National ReviewNational ReviewNational Review is a biweekly magazine founded by the late author William F. Buckley, Jr., in 1955 and based in New York City. It describes itself as "America's most widely read and influential magazine and web site for conservative news, commentary, and opinion."Although the print version of the...
,
- Reason Magazine,
- Human EventsHuman EventsHuman Events is a weekly American conservative magazine. It takes its name from the first sentence of the United States Declaration of Independence...
Yahoo! NewsYahoo! NewsYahoo! News is an Internet-based news aggregator provided by Yahoo!. It features Top Stories, U.S. National, World, Business, Entertainment, Science, Health, Weather, Most Popular, News Photos, Op/Ed, and Local news....
,
- FOX Business NetworkFox Business NetworkFox Business Network is an American cable news and satellite news television channel that began broadcasting on October 15, 2007. It is owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation...
(including appearances by Galen Institute President Grace-Marie Turner on "The Stuary Varney Show"Stuart VarneyStuart Varney is a British-American economic journalist, and as of 2011, working for the Fox News Channel and the Fox Business Network. Varney joined Fox News in January, 2004 as a business contributor on many shows, such as Your World with Neil Cavuto. He also occasionally serves as guest host...
and "The John Stossel Show")
- National Public Radio (NPR).