Unbiased Analysis of Today's Healthcare Issues
Let us say you are a person trying to choose between buying bananas and oranges. What you are trying to do is maximize a utility function u(x,y) where x represents bananas and y represents oranges. You can not buy an infinite amount of each however. This is subject to a budget constraint. Thus, we have…
Scientific American has an article ranking countries based on how conducive they are to biotechnology innovation. The criteria are based on what is best for biotech firms and not necessary what is best for society. The rankings are based on the following metrics: Intellectual Property (IP) protection. In this ranking, more IP protection is considered better. For…
The Economist‘s Technology Quarterly reveals some recent advances in medical technology: Cockroachs: A model for artificial hearts. A laser that would make Dr. Evil proud: one that fights malaria. Mobile phones used to monitor Tb compliance. No more MRIs? The advent of photoacoustic imaging.
Should we have “a public plan that Americans can buy into as an alternative to private insurance?” Yes: Paul Krugman. No: Greg Mankiw.
Survey estimates of Medicaid enrollment are 43 percent lower than raw Medicaid program enrollment counts. Why is this the case? Roebuck and Liberman (HSR 2009) find that many people are not reporting that they have Medicaid coverage. “43 percent of Medicaid enrollees answering the CPS as though they were not enrolled and 17 percent reported…
One question that plagues health economists is estimating the price inflation of medical care. The output measured in these indices should be “health,” but this is often difficult to measure. Typically, economists simply look at the price increase of different inputs (e.g., the cost of a doctor’s visit, the cost of pharmaceuticals, the cost of…
The third anniversary edition of the Cavalcade of Risk is up at InsureBlog.
The N.Y. Times recently reported that the recession has threatened many loan forgiveness programs. Loan forgiveness programs are common for nurses and teachers. This made me think, why would a firm offer loan forgiveness instead of higher wages? Cost of capital. Businesses may take advantage of lower borrowing costs. “After-loan” wages would be higher for workers if businesses…
That sucking noise: Taxpayer bailout dollars for the now bankrupt GM. GM Bankruptcy on retiree health benefits: Imagine the city larger than Peoria, Illinois losing health insurance. Japan has its first trade deficit in 28 years. Ranking Health Insurers. Bet on your life, win cash.
Why does Medicare spend $7,500 for patients in El Paso, Texas but spends $15,000 for patients in McAllen, Texas? It McAllen richer? Does McAllen receive better care? Are patients sicker in McAllen? “Come on” the general surgeon finally said. “We all know these arguments are bullshit. There is overutilization here pure and simple.” Doctors, he said,…