Economics

Article Abstract:

A shift in the economics of health care dominated the health care reform debate in 1993-94. This occurred when politicians tried to convince consumers that a market approach to health care would be more efficient. In this view, health care is treated as a commodity that is bought and sold. Economists convinced politicians that markets were more efficient in distributing goods and services. However, this approach will lead to health care rationing because many consumers will not be able to afford quality health care. An additional problem with this approach is that two different systems of providing health care can not be compared for efficiency unless they result in the same outcome.

Medical economics, Health care reform

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The Economist's Model of Physician Behavior

Article Abstract:

An economic model may not entirely explain physicians' behavior. The model states that physicians are mostly motivated by financial incentives rather than a professional code of ethics. If this was true, an individual physician's practice style would vary from patient to patient, depending on the patient's insurance status. An alternative model states that physicians will treat all patients the same. A 1999 study found that physicians in areas of high managed care penetration spent less on Medicare patients in the traditional fee-for-service plan. This indicates that the less costly practice style encouraged by managed care is applied to patients who are not in managed care.

Medical care, Practice, Physicians, Medical professions

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Academic Medicine's Financial Accountability and Responsibility

Article Abstract:

Academic medical centers need to become accountable for the money they receive from patient fees, grants and contract, and government subsidies. It should be relatively easy to figure out how much it costs to train a doctor and how much of patient care should be subsidized by taxpayers.

Finance, Hospitals, University, University hospitals, Educational accountability

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