claimtoken-539efc0fe87b4 Back in March I made a note to myself to write a paper – or, more likely, a blog post – presenting a taxonomy of behavioural interventions. I had gotten tired of everything being called a ‘nudge’ and with debates… Read More »A taxonomy of behavioural interventions
Steven Levitt and his trusty Freakonomics sidekick were invited by David Cameron to advise on health policy, as they recount in their latest book. Apparently the PM walked out on them. Levitt has kindly given us some more details on his proposal for British healthcare. It consisted of… Read More »Recommended reading for Steven Levitt
It is one of the curious ironies of history that ideas which tend to destroy also help to rebuild. Innovative financial instruments played a key role in the 2007-2008 financial crisis that not only dented economic growth worldwide, but also… Read More »Social impact bonds: is an ounce of (bond) prevention worth more than a pound of (budgetary) cure
It was recently proposed that, here in the UK, foreigners should start having to pay towards their health care because of the apparent budgetary pressure from ‘health tourists’. Let’s be clear upfront; this isn’t a problem. If you believe the media, ‘health tourism’… Read More »No borders, no nations, no user charges
The current UK government is toying with the idea of introducing a minimum price for alcohol in England and Wales of around 45p per unit. However, just this week it was revealed that some senior cabinet members opposed the policy; putting… Read More »A minimum price for alcohol
This month’s (inaugural) meeting will take place Monday 1st October, at 8pm London time. That’ll be 3pm in New York City and 3am on Tuesday in Hong Kong. Join the Facebook event here. For more information about the Health Economics… Read More »#HEJC for 01/10/2012
Here in the UK, NICE sometimes advises against the provision of particular drugs, by the NHS, on the grounds that evidence does not indicate them to be cost-effective. In some cases it appears that these ‘rejections’ are the result of… Read More »Rationing and deprivation in risk sharing schemes
Last year the UK government announced the establishment of a £600 million cancer drug fund, to be spent over 3 years. This represents a minuscule amount of money compared to the NHS’s annual budget, which is in excess of £100,000,000,000. However, it… Read More »Cancer drugs and public preferences
Many have spoken out in opposition to the bill. Some have spoken out in support. As health economists most of us have done little of either. I recently wrote to health economists asking them to answer a simple question: “With… Read More »Health and Social Care Bill 2011
Credit Crunch Health Care – How economics can save our publicly funded health services Paperback, 160 pages, ISBN: 9781847427526, published 16 February 2011 Amazon / Google Books / The Policy Press Cam Donaldson has chosen to use his powers of prophecy for good in his new book… Read More »Review: Credit Crunch Health Care (Cam Donaldson)