Prize Offered for Plan to Combine Welfare Programs
A research foundation is offering a $5,000 prize for the best blueprint for consolidating the nation’s dozens of welfare and social insurance programs.
The Institute for Socioeconomic Studies is also offering $2,000 and $1,000 prizes for the second- and third-best articles.
Leonard Greene, president of the research organization in White Plains, N.Y., said many federal social programs overlap or conflict. The total cost of all federal welfare and social insurance--including Social Security, Medicare and pensions--has jumped from $156 billion in 1975 to $440 billion.
“Piecemeal tinkering trying to hold costs down isn’t worth the time Congress gives wrangling about it,” said Greene, who advocates increasing work incentives for welfare recipients.
The contest is open to anyone 21 or older who holds a bachelor’s degree or the “equivalent educational attainment.”
The papers must be 5,000 to 10,000 words, typewritten and accompanied by a summary of no more than 600 words. The deadline is July 1.
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