Brookings: Experts - Darrell M. West

Technological Advances in Health Care

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:58:00 GMT

Technological advances in health care can give consumers more control over key aspects of their care and health outcomes. Darrell West examines the benefits of new technology in the medical system and what it will mean for the quality, accessibility and affordability of health care.

Opting Out: Not As Simple As It Looks

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Opt-out” has become the most powerful phrase in the health care debate, thanks to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s decision to include it in Senate legislation. If particular jurisdictions do not like a public option, they simply can exit the government health insurance system for uninsured residents. This is a very American idea, writes Darrell West. However, from a governance standpoint, the public option creates a worrisome precedent for other policy areas.

Customer-Driven Medicine: How to Create a New Health Care System

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Health care today is dominated by physicians, hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry, insurance companies and government agencies. However, imagine a different system where, with the aid of technology, the patient is in charge. Darrell West outlines a vision for a new health care system based on mobile health (mHealth), remote monitors, electronic medical records, social networking sites, video conferencing and Internet-based recordkeeping.

FCC Chairman Proposes New Net Neutrality Plans

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced his plan to expand “net neutrality” rules for Internet providers. The chairman advocated an anti-discrimination rule that would prevent Internet providers from blocking or slowing the utilization of competing services, and a transparency rule that would require providers disclose how they manage traffic, writes Darrell West.

What Consumers Want From Mobile Communications

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Congress tasked the FCC with developing a national broadband policy by February 17, 2010 to boost our nation’s communications infrastructure and long-term economic development. Darrell West explores in a new study what consumers want from new mobile communications in the United States, Spain, United Kingdom, and Spain and how these results demonstrate the virtue of innovation and open networks for communications policy.

Digital Health and Participatory Medicine

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As Americans debate about health care reform and how it will affect the doctor-patient relationship, Darrell West discusses how new technologies can bring in a new era of "participatory medicine." The advent of health information technology can generate efficiency, reduce costs, and improve outcomes.

Is Obama Losing Health Care Reform?

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With his approval ratings declining and increasing congressional infighting about health care overhaul, President Obama's reform efforts are starting to resemble President Clinton's failed attempt in 1994. However, Darrell West argues President Obama has already demonstrated much greater political effectiveness than President Clinton, and on this issue ultimately, Democrats will succeed in passing health care reform because the risks of failure are too high.

How Obama Compares to the Prior Five Presidents

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:07:41 GMT

“How We're Doing: A Composite Index of Global and National Trends” compares President Obama to the prior five presidents at the six-month point and marks a baseline for future quarterly indexes. It reveals that the public is generally pleased with the new president’s performance. Darrell West, vice president and director of Governance Studies, says that maintaining the trust and confidence of the American people could take some doing.

Health Care Reform: What Will It Take to Change Americans' Lifestyles?

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Proponents have high hopes for health care reform, but legislation is unlikely to alter personal behavior. What is needed today, writes Darrell West, is serious thinking about how to get Americans to lead healthier lifestyles. If we want health care reform to reduce costs and improve good health, we need a public education campaign emphasizing exercise, balanced diets and healthier living.

The Path to a New Immigration Reform

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With the new political landscape, the importance of immigration for the American economy and new policy ideas that address concerns regarding low-skill workers and border security, the ingredients are in place for comprehensive immigration reform. What are required are bold leadership, a new narrative and a commitment to overcome old stereotypes. History does not have to repeat itself on immigration policy, writes Darrell West.

Prospects for Immigration Reform in the New Political Climate

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

New federal policies on immigration will require a new narrative, bold and innovative ideas and a determination to overcome major obstacles to action. Darrell West and Thomas Mann offer a forecast for immigration reform in the new political climate as the nation’s growing Latino factor and some recent shifts in immigration positions suggest that forging a new policy is possible. However, the topic still evokes economic, social, political and cultural obstacles that must be overcome if congressional reform is going to effective.

The Health Care Disconnect

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington’s arguments on new health care reform appear far removed from the public’s needs, writes Darrell West. He argues that the clashes on the so-called public option do not satisfy the most important concern consumers have: that their current care will not suffer.

The Two Faces of Twitter: Revolution in a Digital Age for Iran

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The role of Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter in recent Iranian street demonstrations shows the power of digital technologies. At the same time that these technologies facilitate grass-roots communications, they also sow the seeds for future political repression, writes Darrell West.

@ Brookings Podcast: The Health of America's Metropolitan Economies; Technological Innovation and Government; Iran

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:35:00 GMT

Brookings scholar Alan Berube discusses the “MetroMonitor,” which examines the economic health of the nation’s largest metro areas; Darrell West discusses how technological innovation can make government more responsive to citizens; and the man on the street ponders unrest in Iran. All on our podcast, @ Brookings.

Comparing Technology Innovation in the Private and Public Sectors

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Technology can be a tool for making government better and democracy stronger. However, the public sector has continued to fall behind the private sector in technology innovation, writes Darrell West. Evaluating the web sites of leading U.S. corporations with state and national governments, West offers five reasons why the private sector has outpaced government in effective innovation, and ways the public sector could improve.

Expanding Health Information Technology in the United States

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Armed with $19 billion dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Obama administration hopes to employ health information technology to improve medical treatment, cut costs by reducing errors and redundancies, and empower patients by giving them control over their own medical records. Not an easy task, warns Brookings expert Darrell West, since the federal government will need to address the financial, organization, and technological barriers limiting the utilization of health IT in the US.

The New Digital Press: How to Create a Brighter Future for the News Industry

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

There is no question we are witnessing a fundamental economic and technological transformation of journalism, writes Darrell West. However, while traditional business models are dying, new ones are still being developed. In this multi-faceted, new-media universe, West says we need an information strategy for the news industry that expands on digital media's strengths while encouraging in-depth coverage.

GovWatch: Setting the First Mark at 100 Days

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As our nation confronts an economic crisis of a severity unlike any since the Great Depression, much attention has been placed on President Obama’s first 100 days and the administration’s progress in combating these unprecedented challenges. Expert Darrell West tracks public opinion on Obama’s handling of the recovery effort for a new index, GovWatch.

President Obama's Trip to Europe and Iraq

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:52:48 GMT

With stops in London for the G-20 Summit, France and Germany for NATO and additional visits to Turkey and Iraq, President Obama has completed his first major trip abroad as the nation’s leader. Darrell West examines the president’s overseas meetings and the impact they’ll have on his policies.

Digital Medicine : Health Care in the Internet Era

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The promise of "e-health" remains largely unfulfilled. In Digital Medicine, Darrell West and Edward Miller investigate the factors limiting the ability of digital technology to remake health care in the United States and around the world in order to understand health care information innovation in a variety of settings.

Losing Our Technology Advantage

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

E-government expert Darrell West encourages the United States to invest more in its technology infrastructure. Once on the cutting edge of technological innovation and access, the United States now lags behind other industrialized nations. West recommends tax credits for private-sector research and development, greater support for higher education, and adult training programs that help workers transition to a 21st century economy.

Maintaining Presidential Popularity During a Recession

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Barack Obama starts his term with the highest approval rating of any recent new president. Expert Darrell West writes that President Obama can maintain his popularity, amid dismal economic news, with his oratorical skills, ability to keep people hopeful about the future, and use of new technologies for public outreach.

The Obama Era and the Digital White House

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Barack Obama’s presidential campaign used an array of online tools to organize supporters and raise money. Now, his administration will try applying the same tools to governing. Darrell West joined The Kojo Nnamdi Show to discuss the future of e-government.

Memo to the President: Lead With Confidence

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The president-elect faces enormous challenges, but comes into office buoyed by an electorate hungry for change. Effective leadership, both at home and abroad, will require mobilizing grass-roots support and repositioning government as a solution rather than as a problem.

The 2008 Presidential and Congressional Elections

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:11:12 GMT

Darrell West and Thomas Mann offer insights on the just-elected executive and legislative branches of government. Their goal in January, says West, is to bring change to American politics. But things will not go smoothly, warns Mann; “Conflict is natural, especially when you’re doing important things.”

Reproductive Freedom and the Next President

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Prior presidential election campaigns once focused on abortion as the primary element of "reproductive freedom." However, during the 2008 presidential election, candidates now find themselves addressing a broader array of arguably related issues, including the use of human embryos for stem-cell research and whether such research should receive federal funding, writes Eli Y. Adashi and Darrell M. West. Judging by Senator Barack Obama's and John McCain's voting records and positions articulated on the Senate floor, the primaries trail, and their campaign Web sites, the 2008 presidential candidates differ substantially in their views on "reproductive freedom."

McCain and Obama Face Off

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In their first presidential debate, Barack Obama placed an economic jab and John McCain swung back with foreign policy savvy. Darrell West writes that "with no gaffes on either side, no knockout punches, and no memorable lines, the debate did not alter a political landscape that has grown more favorable to Barack Obama this month."

2008 Campaign Attack Ads Hit an All-Time Low

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Negative attacks are as American as apple pie, writes Darrell West. However, the 2008 presidential campaign has reached all-time lows in the use of misleading and inaccurate political appeals. As a result, voters need to pay serious attention to the facts in order to make a wise choice.

Sarah Palin's Acceptance Speech

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:11:42 GMT

Sarah Palin, Alaska's governor and the GOP vice presidential nominee, addressed the Republican convention in a speech widely acclaimed by her audience, but delivered amid criticism about her length of executive service in government. Darrell West analyzes the content of her speech and the tenor of her performance—and concludes she did what she was supposed to do.

The Post-Convention Bump

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:57:34 GMT

Candidates typically gain popularity with voters immediately following their party conventions. But, as Darrell West explains, this “bump” in popularity is generally short-lived. This election cycle is no different and, he says, people won’t really know where the candidates stand until a few weeks after the Republican convention.

The Republican Platform

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:44:08 GMT

Looking forward to the Republican National Convention, Darrell West thinks that there could be disagreements on some planks of the party’s platform. On issues like abortion and torture, Senator John McCain has broken with the Republican Party and taken a slightly more moderate stance.

Obama's Stadium Acceptance Speech

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:43:34 GMT

Barack Obama has often addressed record crowds across the country. The Democratic Party’s nomination speech in front of 75,000 people at Invesco Field will signal that he’s thanking the crowds that nominated him, Darrell West says, not just the party insiders.

Celebrities at the Conventions

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:39:53 GMT

From Chuck Norris to Bruce Springsteen, celebrities are prominent in this 2008 presidential election season. Darrell West says that both parties enjoy celebrities, with Democrats getting more Hollywood attention and Republicans pulling from among stock car racers and other athletes.

The 2008 Presidential Election Ad Wars

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:57:47 GMT

John McCain’s campaign released an ad showing video footage from the Democratic presidential primary of Joe Biden criticizing Barack Obama’s experience as a leader. Darrell West says that these kinds of attack ads will play a prominent role in the 2008 election and that he expects the Democrats to fight back.

The Clintons at the Convention

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:19:03 GMT

Looking forward to the appearances of Bill and Hillary Clinton at the Democratic National Convention, Darrell West says that their speeches could be a positive for the party. West explains that a number of voters that supported Hillary during the primary still need to be convinced to support Barack Obama.

State and Federal Electronic Government in the United States, 2008

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Darrell West assesses the nature of American state and federal electronic government in 2008 by examining whether e-government effectively capitalizes on the interactive features available on the Internet to improve service delivery and public outreach.

A Convention Surprise?

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:45:04 GMT

One lesson that can be learned from the 2008 presidential campaign is that common wisdom, the polls and the pundits can be wrong. Darrell West says that every time the experts think they have this election figured out the voters do something very different.

Vice Presidential Candidates

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:05:32 GMT

Some experts believe that a presidential candidate's choice of a running mate is not very important, because people generally vote the top of the ticket. However, Darrell West, vice president and director of Governance Studies, says that this year the vice presidential candidates will play a significant role in the race between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama.

Obama's Running Mate

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:19:35 GMT

Just days before the 2008 Democratic National Convention, presidential candidate Barack Obama named Senator Joe Biden as his running mate. Darrell West, vice president and director of Governance Studies, explains how Biden adds to the Democrat’s ticket.

The 2008 Political Conventions

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:10:15 GMT

As Democrats gather for their 2008 convention in Denver, Governance Studies Vice President Darrell West says the conventions allow the political parties to showcase their candidates, and engage the broader American public in the hot-button issues that propel the presidential race.

Improving Technology Utilization in Electronic Government around the World, 2008

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Few developments have had broader consequences for the public sector than the introduction of the Internet and digital technology. In this Brookings report, Darrell West assesses the current conditions of electronic government around the world and offers practical suggestions for improving the delivery of information and services over the Internet.

Examining the Negative 2008 Presidential Campaign Ads

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A series of campaign ads from John McCain and Barack Obama are drawing attention on both the political and pop culture stages. Darrell West joins Judy Woodruff and Evan Tracey on the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer to discuss their themes and the spending behind them.

Is Obama the New Reagan?

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Although Barack Obama may often be compared to John F. Kennedy, Darrell West argues that Ronald Reagan poses the more interesting parallel. Like Reagan, Obama is an outstanding orator whose national political rise coincides with a grass-roots movement demanding fundamental change in America.

A Report on the 2008 Presidential Nomination Ads

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Few aspects of campaigns attract as much discussion as television advertisements. Yet many observers are not happy with the quality of information presented in ads or the tone of political discourse. In looking at campaign ads in this year’s presidential nominating election, Darrell West finds that ads were more negative than in previous races.