Frontiers in Health Policy Research: Volume 7 - Tapa dura

This series from the NBER presents new research by leading economists on current health care policy issues. The papers in this seventh volume, originally presented at the annual Frontiers in Health Policy Research conference held in Washington D.C. in the summer of 2003, reflect the economic challenges faced by policymakers and health care professionals in an age of budget deficits. Topics discussed include prescription drug benefits as a stand-alone component of Medicare, disability rates and Medicare costs, and conversion to for-profit health plans.

David M. Cutler is Professor of Economics at Harvard University and Research Associate at the NBER. He served on the Council of Economic Advisers and the National Economic Council in the Clinton administration. Alan M. Garber is a staff physician with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Henry J. Kaiser, Jr. Professor, Professor of Medicine, Professor of Economics, Professor of Business, and Professor of Health Research and Policy at Stanford University. He is also Director of the Health Care Program at the NBER.