Course Introduction
Professor Lawrence S. Mayer, MD, MS, PhD
[Assisted by Professor Elton Bordenave, M.Ed., CHC]
Office: 4th Floor Computer Commons email: lawrence.mayer@asu.edu Phone: 480-965-6528
Objective: This course is an introduction to the American (meaning U.S.) health-care system from a policy perspective using an economics lens. It applies concepts of economics as well as history, philosophy, sociology and political science to understand both the evolution and current state of the health-care system and to understand recent changes in the system and proposals for additional change. It focuses on the promise and limitations of economic analysis to understand the current state of health care in the United States. It will cover the new federal health care law, its implications and the efforts to repeal it.
Goal: To enhance your ability to apply economic principles to complex issues in health policy in a way that is sensitive to the associated moral, ethical, legal, cultural and historical issues but is analytically sound. For those of you going to graduate school in economics, to expose you to a critical topic in applied economics. For those of you going to a career in health care, an MBA program, or law school, to learn how to bring economic ideas to bear on health care issues in a sensitive multidisciplinary manner. For those of you going to medical school, to help you appreciate how important health policy, particularly economics, is to the health-care system and to the lives of doctors and patients.
Background: It is assumed you are familiar with the rudimentory concepts of economics (price, demand, markets, return, rents, etc.). In addition, it would be to your advantage to obtain some knowledge of the American health-care system, the new federal health-care law and the current health-care debate. You might want to read on health reform on the Web or in current magazines and newspapers.