As America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Everything Policy analysts are exploring what the Founding Fathers might say about the evolution of our political system. In this brief, we consider the topic of Federalism from the viewpoint of Elbridge Gerry, a Massachusetts politician who was a key player at the Constitutional Convention and the ratification debates.

Healthcare in the United States operates as a collection of state-based systems layered on top of federal programs. Where someone lives can shape what insurance they have access to, how much they pay for it, and what care they receive.

In analyzing public policy, one of the most important distinctions is between opinions and facts. This brief defines these terms, using health care for the undocumented as an illustration of how they differ and why the differences matter.