Grand Experiment

The “Grand Experiment” allows for the states to be innovators in policy areas. One such area is health policy, where states have typically acted as “learning models” according to Weissert and Miller in Punishing the Pioneers. This learning model is often adopted by surrounding states. “Others study these states and improve upon their policies until eventually the federal government moves to standardize benefits across the states, dragging states slow to act or limited in their policy choices.” The implications of this adoption is threefold. First, innovative states may suffer if they could be held responsible for the costs of their policy experiments in perpetuity, even when the federal government follows their lead and takes over responsibility in a particular area. Second, states fiscal capacity for innovation may be compromised by the consequences of federal management of program responsibilities for which states are paying the bill but are no longer in a position to influence costs. Third, less congruence between public policy and public opinion may occur as serious moral choices traditionally devolved to states more homogenous preference venues will now be resolved nationally.