Better-designed provider-level measurement can make the cost containment tools of differential reimbursement, high-performance tiered networks, valuebased benefit design, clinical re-engineering, and the responsible choices they offer more visible and effective.

Despite China's emergence as an economic power and all the talk about how America has become a service economy, U.S. manufacturing is alive and well.

Despite China's emergence as an economic power and all the talk about how America has become a service economy, U.S. manufacturing is alive and well. But there is a fly in the ointment -- the U.S. has become dangerously dependent on imports of raw materials needed to keep the economy moving.

The number of schools ranked highly in guides such as Barron's Profiles of American Colleges is increasing, without any evidence that these schools' instructional quality is also increasing. Applicants and their families should be wary of letting these rankings serve as the main criteria in their college decisions.

As gasoline prices climb, President Obama's poll numbers plummet. In February, a Washington Post/ABC poll had Obama up 6 points against Mitt Romney. Monday's poll has him down 2. According to the polls, gas prices are a huge part of the story, particularly given how the last 30 days or so have not exactly been great for the GOP.

BP and the Minerals Management Service share responsibility for the Gulf oil spill, and while BP should ultimately pay for the damages, action must also be taken by the U.S. government to reform the leasing process for offshore areas.

Put aside concerns about low-skilled immigration for a moment. There is wide consensus among those who have studied the issue that skilled immigrants are a net positive for the receiving country.

The existing regulatory process for medical products frustrates many; a nuanced solution--offering progressive rather than absolute approvals--represents a potentially attractive solution that might also stimulate innovation.