ECON 365: Health Economics
Description
This course introduces economic tools necessary to analyze the healthcare industry sectors, such as the medical care markets, the insurance markets, the physicians’ services market, the hospital services markets, and the market for pharmaceuticals. Additionally, this course explores the effects of policies and reforms in healthcare in the United States.
Outcomes
- Students will be able to analyze the healthcare sector using microeconomic tools and be able to explain how the healthcare system functions from the perspectives of providers and payers.
- Students will be able to identify the key components of the demand and supply of health care.
- Students will be able to analyze the effects of public policy on cost and access to health care.
- Students will be able to explain the similarities and differences among major healthcare systems in the world.
- Students will be familiar with issues, such as population aging and obesity, facing the future of healthcare in the world.
Learning Model Architecture
Prepare: Study assigned chapters and complete check your understanding quizzes.
Teach One Another: Discuss and apply concepts using group discussions.
Ponder & Prove: Complete group quizzes. Prepare and submit exercises.
Prerequisites
ECON 150
Required Materials
Bhattacharya J, Hyde T, and Tu P (2013) Health Economics. ISBN-13: 978-1137029966
NOTE: Amazon rents this textbook for approximately $18/semester.
The University Store Price Comparison allows you to compare textbook prices.
Expectations
Textbook reading assignments
Each week you will read one or two textbook chapters. Additionally, you define selected terms in your own words. Example:
Term: asymmetric information
The definition in my own words: This chapter is talking about the disparity in healthcare, so I think asymmetric information means that one group has access to health information but another group doesn't.
Individual quiz
Each week you take an individual reading quiz. Questions come from the assigned textbook chapter(s). Reading quizzes are timed and open book. You have one attempt. Scores are released, but correct answers are not released to maintain the integrity of the group quiz.
Application activity (initial post)
Each week (except Week 14) you participate in an I-Learn discussion. You apply the lesson's concepts and issues. These discussions are academic writing assignments, so you are expected to use critical thinking and excellent writing in your posts.
In Weeks 01 and 02 you will participate in a whole class discussion. In Weeks 03–13 you will participate in smaller group discussion.
Application activity (replies)
Most ECON 365 discussions require a minimum of 2–3 posts. Affirmations such as "Good work, I agree," or "Great analysis" are nice but don't fulfill the requirements of this assignment. Instead, challenge your classmates, ask questions, analyze their proposal, propose a solution to the problem, or suggest something they didn't consider. Always support your ideas with concepts from the textbook.
Group quiz
In Weeks 03–13 you meet as a group to take a group quiz. Each week your group will submit a meeting recording, a video is preferred, however, an audio file is acceptable.
Zoom is recommended. See How Do I Get Started with Zoom?
During the group quiz discuss each quiz question and debate the answers. Each student opens the quiz and takes the quiz at the same time. After discussing the question and possible answers, come to a group consensus. Each member of the group selects the same answer. Record your meeting and submit the URL or audio file to your instructor.
Homework
Most lessons include 2–4 homework problems. Half of your score comes from your attempt—so add a detailed explanation and show your work when appropriate—the other half of your score comes from accuracy.
Grading Policies
ECON 365 uses weighted grading.
| Item | Approximate Percentage |
|---|---|
| Quizzes | 15% |
| Application Activities | 15% |
| Exercises | 10% |
| Exams | 60% |
Exams
ECON 365 Exams are online proctored exams.
| Week | Exam | Covers |
| Week 06 | Exam 1 | Chapters 1-7 |
| Week 10 | Exam 2 | Chapters 10-15 |
| Week 14 | Exam 3 | Chapters 16-20, 22 |
The instructor reserves the right to change any part of this syllabus at any time during the semester. You will be notified prior to any changes.