http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_files/publications/st256/stat256.pdf
Compares summary statistics on health care expenditures and expenditure distributions by type of service and source of payment for the elderly in 2006 and 1996. Finds the average annual expense per elderly person was about 30% higher in 2006 than in 1996 after adjusting for inflaton. From the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
http://levin.senate.gov/newsroom/supporting/2009/PSI.WheatSpeculation.062409.pdf
Examines in detail how commodity index traders manipulated the price of wheat contracts traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Finds that there is persuasive evidence to conclude that these index traders were one of the major causes for differences between the price of wheat futures contracts and the price of wheat in the cash market. From the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hiddencosts/hiddencosts.pdf
Describes trends in health insurance costs including rising deductibles and copayments. From Health Reform.gov of the Health and Human Services Department.
http://www.ferc.gov/legal/staff-reports/06-09-demand-response.pdf
The first nationwide study of demand response potential using a state-by-state approach. Involves use of advanced metering technology, dynamic pricing, and other techniques to reduce peak power demand loads. A staff report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf
Reports that employer costs for employee compensation averaged $29.39 per hour worked in March 2009. Wages and salaries accounted for 70% of the cost and benefits accounted for the remaining 30%. From the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
http://www.fhfa.gov/webfiles/2918/PreviousDownturns61609.pdf
Examines previous housing price downturns across Census divisions, states, and localities and focuses on select areas that have experienced sharp price declines. Includes statistics on Top 40 metro areas by total housing downturn depreciation. From the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/103xx/doc10327/06-19-CapAndTradeCosts.pdf
Examines the average cost per household that would result from implementing the Green House Gas cap-and-trade program proposed by the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 as well as how that cost would be spread among households with different levels of income. Estimates the costs at about $175 per household. From the Congressional Budget Office.
http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/RCS/May09/RCS09D01/RCS09D01.pdf
Attributes the rapid price rises to trade restrictions, panic buying, a weak dollar, and high oil prices rather than crop shortages. From the Economic Research Service
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/hsgaffrd/tables_2004.html
Offers some 30 statistical tables for measuring housing affordability for families for median-priced and modestly-priced homes. Also offers historical tables on housing affordability, effect of policy changes, and effects of policy changes on black and Hispanic origin families. From the Census Bureau.
http://www.census.gov/prod/2009pubs/h121-09-01.pdf
Reports that in 2004 58% of American families could afford to purchase a modestly priced home in the state where they lived. The sixth in a series of reports that attempt to measure changes in homeownership affordability. From the Census Bureau.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/Fact_Sheet-Health_Reform_Stakeholders_5-11-09.pdf
Lays out five step approach for reducing the cost of health care including reducing hospital readmission rates, medicare overpayments, and drug prices. From the White House.
