The health care sector accounts for 18% of the U.S. economy. This course uses theoretical and empirical methods in economics to analyze the allocation of resources in this sector. We will cover the demand side of the market (consumers’ decisions about health insurance, medical care, and behaviors such as diet and exercise that affect health directly) and the supply side (the behavior of physicians, hospitals, and nursing homes). We will also consider the economics of government intervention in the health care sector. The course will give students sufficient background to understand and participate in current policy debates related to health care.

The text for the course will be Health Economics (2013) by Bhattacharya, Tu, and Hyde. Textbook readings will be supplemented with journal articles, commentaries, and case studies. We will post lecture slides, problem sets, and additional materials on the course web site.

Course Requirements:

Students will be evaluated by their performance on three exams and several problem sets.

Weights: Problem sets 25%, 2 Midterm exams 50%, 1 Final exam 25%

Intended Audience:

This class is recommended for advanced students with an interest in health economics and health policy.

Class Format:

The class will meet twice a week in a lecture format.