Pros and Cons of the Behavioral Health Information Technology Coordination Act
Despite an unprecedented demand for mental health and substance use services in the U.S., psychiatric hospitals utilize electronic health records (EHRs) at significantly lower rates than general medical practices. EHRs are electronic versions of patient health profiles, and include information such as relevant demographics, past diagnoses and treatments, lab report data, and vaccination history. EHRs […]
The Laken Riley Act and Immigration Policy
On January 29th, President Trump signed the Laken Rikey Act into law. This law now requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain and deport non-U.S. nationals who are accused, but not yet convicted, of “theft, burglary, assaulting a law enforcement officer, and any crime that causes death or serious bodily injury.” The law has […]
Understanding the Accountability for Overprescription Debate
Background: The Opioid Epidemic Over the past two decades, the opioid epidemic has emerged as a key public health issue in the United States. The first wave of the epidemic was characterized by an increase in opioid prescriptions in the late 1990s paired with marketing from pharmaceutical companies that ensured that opioids were safe for […]
Pros and Cons of Texas Senate Bill No. 4
Introduction Texas Senate Bill No. 4 (SB4), passed in 2023, aims to address illegal border crossings into Texas. The bill created new state-level criminal offenses for unauthorized entry and non-compliance with removal orders, giving local law enforcement the power to detain suspected undocumented individuals. It also provided legal protection for officers who act in accordance […]
Understanding AI in Intelligence Gathering and Analysis
What is AI? Artificial Intelligence (AI) involves the use of machine learning algorithms and predictive models to process and analyze large datasets. Intelligence gathering, a critical component of national security and defense systems, refers to the collection and analysis of information to identify potential threats. Recently, AI has taken on a bigger role in U.S. […]
Understanding the Investigatory Encryption Backdoors Debate
Background: Encryption Backdoors in Law Enforcement Investigations Encryption is the process of encoding messages so that only authorized individuals can decode and access the content. Organizations rely on encryption to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. However, an encryption backdoor is any method that allows someone, regardless of authorization, to bypass encryption and access data. […]
The Pros and Cons of the Black Maternal Momnibus Act
Background on Black Maternal Health The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that Black women are over three times more likely to die during or after childbirth than white women, often facing life-threatening complications from early pregnancy to postpartum. Unfair treatment and lower quality of care contribute to these disparities, with more than […]
The TikTok Ban: Overview and New Developments
An Overview of TikTok Security Concerns In 2016, the Chinese company ByteDance launched Douyin, a social media app focused on short-form content in China. Following the app’s success, ByteDance expanded the app overseas, launching TikTok to the international market in late 2017. TikTok was a major success internationally, amassing two million downloads and 800 about […]
President-Elect Trump’s Day-One Promises
President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office Monday, January 20th for his non-consecutive second term. Along the campaign trail, Trump has made several promises that he plans to execute on his first day back in office. Such promises include initiating mass deportations, ending the war in Ukraine, combating inflation, and pardoning those who were […]
Understanding China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Southeast Asia and the U.S. Response:
Introduction: The BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) is a 2013 trade route plan aimed at improving China’s connectivity to the rest of the world. The plan seeks to stimulate China’s economy through investing in infrastructure projects including railways, bridges, and airports abroad. This project also strives to connect countries in the Global South and Eastern […]