September, 2007

An Example and a Question

by Dana Goldman

September 22nd, 2007

Robin Hanson asks David Cutler what is missing from aggregate studies. I can’t help but provide just one example. Suppose some physicians in Region A are better at surgery, while those in Region B do a better job with medical management of heart attacks. And further assume that surgery is more expensive — hardly a [...]

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Still Seeking Specific Critiques

by Robin Hanson

September 22nd, 2007

I said I’m “all for finding better ways to favor helpful over harmful medicine” but I asked “why must this distant possibility stop us from publicizing and acting now on our consensus that we expect little net health harm from crude cuts?” and I suggested six possible reasons one might offer.
Dana Goldman pointed to one [...]

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Don’t Pretend It’s Easy

by David M. Cutler

September 22nd, 2007

Per capita income in the United States is 30 percent higher than in Sweden, and yet Americans are no happier than Swedes; indeed, Swedes report greater levels of happiness. Based on these data, can one conclude that cutting income in the United States by 30 percent across the board would leave Americans unaffected? Of course, [...]

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What Is the Effect of a Price Increase?

by Alan Garber

September 21st, 2007

What is the effect of a price increase?  The conventional answer that quantities consumed will decrease along a demand curve doesn’t always apply in health care.  The question isn’t even answerable without describing which price is being increased and specifying the mechanism for the price increase.  The price of a medical product or service usually [...]

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