Innovate, Educate, Elevate

Pioneer empowers Americans to live freely and thrive

Agenda for Leadership 2026 is available!

May 7, 2026

Pioneer Study: Seniors Paid More for Key Drugs Despite Federal Price Controls 

Out-of-pocket costs rose in 2025 for widely used Medicare drugs targeted under Inflation Reduction Act  BOSTON – Many Medicare seniors paid higher out-of-pocket costs in 2025 for widely used prescription drugs—despite a federal law intended to lower them, according to a new Pioneer…
May 5, 2026

Boston is 48th out of 55 Metro Areas in the Competition for Young Workers

A new analysis from ADP Research (reported in the Wall Street Journal) delivers a clear warning for Massachusetts: the Boston–Cambridge–Newton metropolitan area now ranks 48th out of 55 major U.S. metro areas in attracting young workers. The study tracks more than 400,000 workers in their 20s and evaluates metro areas on a simple but decisive set of factors—job availability, affordability, and access to degree-requiring work. On those measures, Boston lands near the bottom. High wages are no longer enough to offset the region’s high cost structure and weaker hiring momentum.
April 29, 2026

New Study Finds Massachusetts Business Formation Has Plummeted Despite National Surge

The Commonwealth had the nation’s lowest net business formation rate from 2020 to 2024, losing more than 17,000 employer businesses over nine consecutive quarters 
April 28, 2026

Inaugural US DataLabs Ranking Finds Alaska the State Most Dependent on Federal Funds, Idaho the Least

Per-capita analysis reveals surprising exposure in Virginia and Massachusetts, offering a fuller picture of how deeply federal dollars shape state economies 
Want to get the latest updates from Pioneer Institute?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Name(Required)
Email(Required)

When We Succeed

Pioneer succeeds when its research, communications, litigation, and coalition-building lead to tangible improvements in Americans’ lives—access to world-class learning options for students; affordable and innovative care for patients; and plentiful jobs, a rich civic life, and individual liberty for all.

We focus on state policy as a proving ground—testing, refining, and demonstrating reforms that work, in order to raise the bar for opportunity across the United States.

Support Pioneer

Philanthropic support fuels our ability to deliver bold ideas, rigorous research, and real-world impact—advancing solutions that shape policy and strengthen communities.

Dependency Index – Federal Money to the States

Think you know which states depend most on Washington? Pioneer’s new Dependency Index may change your mind. Alaska ranks most dependent on federal funds, and Idaho ranks least. Check out where your state ranks here! https://loom.ly/6LMwO0c

PioneerEducation supports excellent school options for all children, world-class liberal arts-based academic standards, and accountability for results in public education.

PioneerHealthcare champions market-based reforms to rein in the cost and improve the quality of care for patients.

PioneerOpportunity seeks a business climate in which entrepreneurs and employees benefit from a thriving economy.

American Citizenship:  To increase public engagement in the nation’s civic life, Pioneer champions K-12 history and civics education, and provides transparent government data for citizens to hold their state governments accountable.