Michael D. Tanner
Senior Fellow
Michael Tanner heads research into a variety of domestic policies with a particular emphasis on health care reform, social welfare policy, and Social Security. His most recent book, Leviathan on the Right: How Big-Government Conservatism Brought Down the Republican Revolution (2007), chronicles the demise of the Republican party as it has shifted away from its limited government roots and warns that reform is necessary to avoid electoral defeat in 2008.
Under Tanner's direction, Cato launched the Project on Social Security Choice, which is widely considered the leading impetus for transforming the soon-to-be-bankrupt system into a private savings program. Time Magazine calls Tanner, "one of the architects of the private accounts movement," and Congressional Quarterly named him one of the nation's five most influential experts on Social Security.
His other books include, Healthy Competition: What's Holding Back Health Care and How to Free It (Second Edition, 2007), The Poverty of Welfare: Helping Others in Civil Society (2003), and A New Deal for Social Security (1998). Tanner's writings have appeared in nearly every major American newspaper, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. A prolific writer and frequent guest lecturer, Tanner appears regularly on network and cable news programs. Before joining Cato in 1993, Tanner served as director of research of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation and as legislative director for the American Legislative Exchange Council.
Media Contact: 202-789-5200
To Book a Speaking Engagement: 202-789-5226
E-Mail: mtanner@cato.org
Books and Book Chapters
Leviathan on the Right: How Big-Government Conservatism Brought Down the Republican Revolution, (2007).
Healthy Competition: What's Holding Back Health Care and How to Free It, coauthor (2005).
Social Security and Its Discontents, editor (April 2004)
The Poverty Of Welfare: Helping Others in Civil Society, (August 2003)
A New Deal for Social Security, coauthor (1998)
Cato Studies
"The Grass Is Not Always Greener: A Look at National Health Care Systems Around the World," Policy Analysis no. 613, March 18, 2008.
"No Miracle in Massachusetts: Why Governor Romney's Health Care Reform Won't Work," Briefing Paper no. 97, June 6, 2006.
"Individual Mandates for Health Insurance: Slippery Slope to National Health Care," Policy Analysis no. 565, April 5, 2006.
"KidSave: Real Problem, Wrong Solution," by Michael D. Tanner and Jagadeesh Gokhale, Policy Analysis no. 562, January 24, 2006.
"The Personal Lockbox: A First Step on the Road to Social Security Reform," Policy Analysis no. 550, September 13, 2005.
Opinion and Commentary
"Voters Send Mixed Messages on Health Care," Orange County Register, June 13, 2008
"Paul Ryan's Roadmap for the GOP," McClatchy News Service, June 11, 2008
"McCain's Health Care Plan: Radical and Right," Orange County Register, May 6, 2008
"A Mandate for Health-Care Disaster in D.C.," Washington Post, April 20, 2008
"McCain's Plan Bests Obama's," The Hill, April 15, 2008
Events
"Is the Grass Really Greener? A Look at International Health Care Systems," May 5, 2008 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"Health Care University," December 10, 2007 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"Leviathan on the Right: How Big-Government Conservatism Brought Down the Republican Revolution," February 15, 2007 [Book Forum]
"Welfare Reform Turns 10: A Look Back, A Look Ahead," August 22, 2006 [Policy Forum]
"Health Care University," May 30, 2006 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
Speeches and Testimony
"Reforming Health Care in Wisconsin," Congressional Testimony, October 2, 2007.
"Reforming Health Care in Alaska," Congressional Testimony, September 10, 2007.
"Reforming Health Care in Kansas," Congressional Testimony, January 13, 2007.
"Testimony before the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Subcommittee on Securities and Investment," June 14, 2005.
"Testimony before the Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social Security," May 17, 2005.
Multimedia
"A Plea for Social Security Reform" featuring Michael D. Tanner, July 11, 2008 [Flash Audio, 05:28]
"McCain Backs Markets, Deregulation in Health Care" featuring Michael D. Tanner, May 5, 2008 [Flash Audio, 07:01]
Michael D. Tanner discusses Massachusetts healthcare on WETA April 28, 2008 [Flash Video, 00:22]
"Globetrotting for a Better Health Care System" featuring Michael D. Tanner, March 18, 2008 [Flash Audio, 05:47]
"Obama the Policymaker, Regulator" featuring Michael D. Tanner, March 4, 2008 [Flash Audio, 08:11]