Course ID: | HPAM 8600. 3 hours. |
Course Title: | Advanced Health Economics |
Course Description: | Applies economics theory in health, health care, and health policy with an emphasis on core themes applicable to health economics. Lectures will include economic evaluation, demand for health care, insurance markets, asymmetric information, managed care, hospital and pharmaceutical industry, and governmental role. |
Oasis Title: | Advanced Health Economics |
Duplicate Credit: | Not open to students with credit in HPAM 8600E |
Semester Course Offered: | Offered every year. |
Grading System: | A-F (Traditional) |
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Course Objectives: | (1) Utilize the concepts of economics to examine critical questions in health care services
(2) Analyze risk and uncertainty as related to health insurance
(3) Distinguish the key players in the healthcare sector and analyze their role in healthcare
(4) Examine the impact of social insurance and the role of government in improving health
(5) Effectively analyze, interpret, write, and communicate health economics research findings to a lay audience
These course learning objectives are tied to the following core competencies outlined for health policy and management:
A. Analyze and discuss the policy process for improving the health status of populations
B. Critically assess current policies to address the health status of populations
C. Design communication strategies, using appropriate channels and technologies, to address health policy issues |
Topical Outline: | I. The demand for health and health care
II. The supply of health care
a. Hospitals
b. Doctors
c. Pharmaceutical industry
III. Health insurance
a. Supply and demand
b. Moral hazard and adverse selection
c. Health insurance and employment
d. The uninsured
e. Managed care
IV. The role of government
a. Efficiency, equity, and need
b. Types of interventions
i. Taxes and subsidies: e.g., tax-exempt employer contributions
ii. Public provision: e.g., VA hospitals
iii. Transfer programs: e.g., Medicaid, Medicare
iv. Regulation: e.g., FDA, mandated benefits
v. Public health initiatives: e.g., smoking, obesity, alcohol, pollution, sanitation
vi. Support for health-related research: e.g., NIH
c. Health system reform
V. Cost-benefit analysis |