PAD 546, Health EconomicsDr. Frank Gertcher
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Welcome to PAD546--the world of health economics. Since 1950, there has been a rapid and continuing increase in the amount of national resources that have been devoted to personal health care services, amounting to o ver $589 billion in 1990. Total US medical expenditures were about $670 billion in 1990, which is about 12 percent of the GNP. Further, the government has assumed an ever-increasing role in financing these services (over 40 percent of total expenditures in 1990). The quality, cost, and distribution of health care and the proper role of government raises a variety of important policy questions. For example, are the large annual percentage increases in medical prices, which contribute to increases in co sts, justified? Could a greater amount of medical services be provided for the same amount for expenditures, if resources were allocated differently? Should every citizen, regardless of economic status, have equal access to health care? As a result, sh ould the government be spending an increasing share of its limited resources on personal health care services? These and other questions will be the subject of much discussion in this course. Answers will involve both micro and macro economic issues, th eories, and tools of analysis.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: The primary objectives of this course are to:
1. Demonstrate how the tools of economic analysis can be used to make sound health care policy decisions.
2. Gain an increased awareness of the complexity of health care system planning and management in a world or uncertainty.
3. Stimulate intellectual growth through class preparation, discussions, and open-ended exams.
This course includes economic aspects of current topics in health care; therefore the schedule of lessons and the assigned material may be revised slightly as the course progresses and new material becomes available. You should come to class prepared to discuss the assigned material. You are expected to demonstrate the ability to maturely and critically discuss the assigned health care topics. Also, your participation in class discussions will be the primary basis for your "instruction option" grade .
EVALUATION:
EXAM
Exam 1 25%
Exam 2 25%
Final 40%
Instructor
Option 10%
*TBD: The actual dates of class are determined by which Semester Term this course is given.
COURSE MATERIALS:
Text: Health Care Economics, 4th ed, P.J. Feldstein, Delmar Publishing, Inc, New York, 1993
Handouts: Handouts will be provided from time to time to supplement the text material.
COURSE ADMINISTRATION:
Extra Instruction: You are encouraged to schedule extra instruction with me at mutually acceptable time. Don't wait until you believe you are failing. Whenever you experience difficulty, arrange for help. However, do not feel your conference must be limited to discussing course objectives. I am interested in you as an individual, and I will try to assist you in defining and reaching your goals, whatever they may be.
Absence from Class: If you can, notify me in advance. Arrangements which are mutually agreeable to you and to me will be made to make up your assignment. Remember, it is YOUR responsibility to contact me and make arrangements to complete all work.
Exams: EXAMS ARE MANDATORY. You are responsible for taking each exam as scheduled.
A personal note: As your instructor, I am looking forward to a meaningful learning experience with you this semester. As we go through the course material and apply economic theory to health care problems, I am sure you will perceive the relev ance of economics as a practical discipline for health care policy decision making.
COURSE SCHEDULE
1. Introduction: Economics of Health Care; ASSIGNMENT: Handout, Feldstein Chapter 1
2. The Revolution in Medicine; ASSIGNMENT: Handout
3. The Production of Health; ASSIGNMENT: Feldstein, Chapter 2
4. Medical Care Markets and Prices; ASSIGNMENT: Feldstein, Chapters 3 and 4
5. The Demand for Medical Care; ASSIGNMENT: Feldstein, Chapters 5 and 6
6. The Supply of Medical Care, Review for Exam 1; ASSIGNMENT: Feldstein, Chapter 7
7. Exam 1
8. Post Mortem: Exam 1; The Market for Health Insurance; ASSIGNMENT: Feldstein, Chapter 8
9. The Market for Physicians; ASSIGNMENT: Feldstein, Chapters 9 and 14
10. Hospitals; ASSIGNMENT: Feldstein, Chapters 10 and 11
11. The Market for Nurses; Review for Exam 2; ASSIGNMENT: Feldstein, Chapters 15 and 16
12. Exam 2
13. Post Mortem: Exam 2; The Political Economy of Health Care; ASSIGNMENT: Feldstein, Chapters 17 and 18
14. National Health Insurance; ASSIGNMENT: Feldstein, Chapter 19
15. The Market for Long Term Care; Concluding Comments; and Review for Final Exam; ASSIGNMENT: Feldstein, Chapter 21
16. Final Exam