ECON 225 Economics of Health and Health Care (Not offered 1999-2000)
This course analyzes the economics of health by applying standard microeconomic tools to the particular problems of health and health markets. The course focuses on the inputs to health and the demand for health care; on the particular problems of health insurance markets and how these can be corrected through efficient contracts; the problems of rising cost and cost containment; and the interaction of the health insurance market and the labor market. Much attention will be devoted to topics of current public concern, including health insurance reform, the changing nature of health care provision, and changing public policies in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Other topics may include: the value of life, medical malpractice, human organ markets and the economic impact of AIDS. Requirements: several short papers, a midterm exam and a final exam. Prerequisite: Economics 101. Enrollment limited to 40.