Works in Progress Podcast Treating cost disease with Congressman Jake Auchincloss
Oct 24, 2025
Congressman Jake Auchincloss, a U.S. Representative focused on economic growth and urban policy, joins to explore building new cities in America. He shares insights on treating 'cost disease' and why local politics often hinder housing development. Jake advocates for innovative transit solutions and discusses the importance of a master plan for cities. He critiques immigration policies and suggests a balanced approach, while also pushing for bold biomedical R&D initiatives, including a national moonshot to cure Alzheimer's.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Treat Cost Disease From The Bottom Up
- 'Cost disease' describes sectors with low productivity growth inflating faster than the economy.
- Prioritise curing cost disease in necessities like housing and healthcare before luxuries higher on Maslow's pyramid.
Cost Disease Shifts, So Policy Must Persist
- Cost disease will always shift between sectors as some get automated and others lag.
- Policy should repeatedly target essential services so inflation doesn't consume middle-class budgets.
Choose Where To Automate Carefully
- Decide where human connection matters and where automation should lower prices.
- Aim for cheaper housing and healthcare through automation while accepting human-led education where preferable.
