Policy Proposals Target U.S. Economic Bottlenecks, Including Jones Act's $17,000 Daily Vessel Cost

Matthew Chapman has put forth a series of policy proposals aimed at addressing significant economic and social challenges across the United States. His suggestions, shared on social media, advocate for sweeping changes in urban planning, healthcare, and maritime law. The three core tenets include nationwide urban upzoning, increased healthcare provider capacity, and the repeal of the Jones Act, each designed to foster greater efficiency and accessibility.

The first proposal calls to "Upzone every large U.S. city," a move intended to increase housing supply and affordability. Research indicates that upzoning, which increases allowable building size and density, can significantly boost housing units, with some studies showing an approximate 9% increase in living space and housing units over five to ten years. While critics express concern about short-term affordability impacts, proponents suggest broad upzoning across larger regions, as seen in Houston, can mitigate these issues and lead to more diverse and less expensive housing options.

Chapman also proposes to "Relax limits on medical residency slots, nurse practitioners etc so we have a lot more health care providers." This addresses the projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Expanding the scope of practice for nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) is seen by some as a crucial step, though studies indicate NPs often practice in the same geographic areas as physicians, and many opt for specialties over primary care. Increasing medical residency positions and streamlining pathways for international medical graduates are also highlighted as effective strategies to bolster the healthcare workforce.

Finally, Chapman advocates to "Repeal the Jones Act," a federal law requiring goods shipped between U.S. ports to be transported on American-built, American-owned, and American-crewed vessels. Critics argue the act inflates shipping costs, with a 2011 U.S. Maritime Administration report finding Jones Act-compliant vessels cost $12,600 more per day to operate than foreign-flagged ships, a figure that increased to nearly $17,000 daily by 2022. While supporters emphasize its role in national security and protecting American maritime jobs, opponents point to higher consumer prices and limited competition, especially impacting non-contiguous U.S. territories.

These proposals collectively suggest a significant shift in regulatory approaches, aiming to alleviate pressures in housing, healthcare, and supply chains. Each area presents complex trade-offs between economic efficiency, social equity, and national interests, sparking ongoing debate among policymakers and stakeholders.