Conservative Think Tank Paragon Drives Health Policy Amid GOP Divisions on Capitol Hill

Brian Blase, leading the Paragon think tank, is praised by some conservatives for his principled approach to health policy but has caused discomfort among many House Republicans due to his push for conservative policy wins that risk the GOP's fragile majority, especially regarding the expiration of ACA subsidies and Medicaid cuts amid a government shutdown. Meanwhile, the American right is undergoing a transformation from traditional conservatism, which valued limited government and individual liberty, toward a New Right that embraces more authoritarian, collectivist, and nationalist ideals, exemplified by the revival of Carl Schmitt's friend-enemy political theory. This shift away from classical liberalism raises concerns about the use of government power to enforce social and cultural priorities, highlighted by recent events including the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. In Spain, multiple right-wing think tanks, including those linked to established parties like PP and Vox, actively promote conservative and far-right agendas, illustrating a broader international trend of the right employing organized intellectual platforms to influence politics and culture.