ECON 230 The Economics of Health and Health Care (Not offered 2008-2009) (W)
In recent years, the intersection between health and economics has increased in importance. The costs of health care have been rising, seemingly inexorably. A substantial fraction of the United States population lacks health insurance, while the rising number of elderly is putting increasing pressure on health spending. Globally, the HIV/AIDS pandemic is causing severe economic hardship, and many people lack access to basic health care. More positively, advances in health care have widened the scope of possible treatments. Given the importance of good health for individual well-being, it is not surprising that health care and how to pay for it are of concern to individuals and policymakers worldwide. In this course we will analyze the economics of health by applying standard microeconomic techniques to the problems of health and health care markets. The course focuses on three broad issues: the inputs to health and the demand for health care, the structure and consequences of public and private health insurance, and the supply of health care. Special attention will be devoted to topics of current public policy, including the problems of rising costs and cost containment, health insurance reform, the changing nature of health care provision, changing public policies in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, hospital competition, and the determinants and consequences of technological change in medicine.
Format: lecture/discussion. Requirements: several short papers, a research paper, and a final exam.
Prerequisite: Economics 110. Enrollment limited to 19 (expected: 19).
SHORE-SHEPPARD