Subsidyscope, an initiative of the Pew Charitable Trusts, set out to reveal information on subsidies and federal spending In the following framing paper, Subsidyscope lays out a framework for its analysis and the importance of studying federal spending data
The U.S. economy is subsidized, sheltered, protected and otherwise managed in ways that would shock the average citizen. From candy bars to hybrid cars, government subsidies touch our lives every day. Some areas of the economy are deeply affected by subsidy programs. For instance, in 2007 the government spent approximately $874 billion on health care in the United States, much of it through programs that provide subsidies. This accounted for nearly half of all health care spending. Read the full report.