Policy Briefs

YIP's policy briefs provide clear, nonpartisan summaries of key national issues and policies. Designed for accessibility, they distill complex topics into concise, understandable analyses, bridging the gap between intricate policy debates and a broad audience. These briefs embody our commitment to informed, unbiased discourse, crucial for fostering a well-informed public and encouraging active engagement in policy discussions.

Read Briefs

Briefs harmonize diverse political perspectives in policy teams of 4-6 for insightful policy solutions.

Recent Policy Briefs

No items found.

U.S. Economic Shrinkage Throughout 2022

Economic Policy

Donovan Zagorin

The brief will discuss economic shrinkage that has occurred throughout 2022. Various issues such as a drop in exports, decreases in government spending, and changes to interest rates will be covered. The relevance, history, and policy responses regarding this issue will be outlined alongside certain policy suggestions to revert this economic shrinkage.

Her story: Roe v. Wade and the Future of Privacy Rights

Social Policy

Elizabeth Miller

In the 50 years since the landmark ruling of Roe v Wade, abortion has been a hotly contested issue.

European Division over Russian Energy

Foreign Policy

Sarika Rahman

As Russian forces continue to violently push through eastern Ukraine, the EU, in an effort to place greater pressure on Russia, proposes a ban on all Russian oil imports. However, while the ban holds the possibility of severely damaging the Russian economy, European nations will have to contend with Russian retaliatory response, as well as the impacts of losing its largest supplier of energy. This brief traces the history of European dependency on Russian energy and connects it to the current debate on banning Russian oil in all member states of the EU. Furthermore, it considers the possible means by which Europe will adjust to the loss of Russian energy, both before and after the enforcement of the oil ban.

The Vicious Cycle of Poverty and Healthcare

Public Health Policy

Stephanie Wang

The relationship between poverty and healthcare (both in quality and accessibility) has long been a subject of concern. On both the domestic and international fronts, poverty leads to environmental pressure, diminished health literacy, and financial inaccessibility, each of which detrimentally impacts healthcare quality and accessibility. In turn, the subpar healthcare services have a negative impact on economic development of impoverished areas, trapping impoverished communities in a vicious cycle. There have been policies implemented in attempts to break this vicious cycle, such as Medicaid, COBRA, HIPAA, and the ACA. However, more efforts on this front are warranted, especially those targeting quality, accessibility, and acceptability.

Right to Privacy vs. Right to Life: the Battle Continues

Social Policy

Sydney Rehm

Since the founding of America, legislative battles over rights have existed. From voting rights, to the rights of African American citizens, to child labor laws. The most recent arena of this debate is over a woman’s right to an abortion. Over the past few years, states have been passing increasingly restrictive policies. Much of this policy has been blocked by courts in the past, but with the Supreme Court’s current conservative leaning, it is anticipated that state legislatures will increase policy efforts.

Mortgage Rates and Housing Bubbles

Economic Policy

Arya Kumar

This policy brief will discuss interest rate alterations and how they have impacted the housing markets, specifically since the onset of the pandemic and in light of recent increases in interest rates. The issue at hand will be described, the various policy positions/prescriptions will be outlined, and a final understanding will be developed.