Showing archive for: “Insurance”
Should Antitrust Exempt Joint Monopsony Conduct to Countervail Monopoly?
Geoff and Josh raise an interesting issue about collective market conduct by buyers. Suppose that a group of final consumers face a monopolist. Should the consumers be permitted to band together into an “association” to jointly negotiate a lower price from the monopolist? Some would say that such buyer “cooperatives” are permitted, whereas others would ... Should Antitrust Exempt Joint Monopsony Conduct to Countervail Monopoly?
What Am I Missing About Antitrust Exemptions?
Geoff mentions the pending bills on the Hill that would grant merchants an antitrust exemption to negotiate interchange fees. The insurance industry exemption has also been in the news of late in the wake of the Democrats’ threats of repeal. Here’s what I’m puzzled about. Other than self-interested parties that have a lot to gain ... What Am I Missing About Antitrust Exemptions?
Will the Public Insurance Plan Be a Predator?
Wall Street Journal columnist Thomas Frank inhabits a simple little world in which private enterprise, in its relentless pursuit of profit (i.e., charging more for something than it’s worth), is consistently a force for evil, and government, populated by wise and benevolent folk who have eschewed riches in favor of public service (see, e.g., Ted ... Will the Public Insurance Plan Be a Predator?
Searle Antitrust Economics and Competition Policy Conference
If you’re in Chicago next week, and even if you’re not, go check out the Second Annual Searle Center Antitrust Economics and Competition Policy conference at Northwestern University School of Law. The conference will take place September 25th and 26th and has a great lineup including a pretty good mix of theory and empirics. My ... Searle Antitrust Economics and Competition Policy Conference
How Competitive Is the Health Insurance Market, Really?
Not very, according to the President in his recent health care speech, making the case that lack of competition and for-profit monopolists are what ails the health care market: “Consumers do better when there is choice and competition. Unfortunately, in 34 states, 75% of the insurance market is controlled by five or fewer companies. In ... How Competitive Is the Health Insurance Market, Really?
Thaler’s Unsound Argument About the Public Insurance Option
University of Chicago economist (and behavioralist doyen) Richard Thaler thinks “the question of whether a ‘public option’ should be part of the health care solution” is just “one big distraction.” In Sunday’s New York Times, Thaler argues that the debate over the public option is a “red herring” if, as President Obama insists, the public ... Thaler’s Unsound Argument About the Public Insurance Option
Expanding Insurance Coverage Is Not the Way to Reduce Health Care Costs
As his Council of Economic Advisers made clear in its recent health care report, President Obama sees two primary goals for his health care reform efforts: to slow the growth of health care costs and to expand coverage of health insurance. It’s pretty clear, though, which of these goals is steering the ship. While the ... Expanding Insurance Coverage Is Not the Way to Reduce Health Care Costs
Economics in one lesson
Several people, including Josh, have drawn my attention to John Hasnas’ excellent op-ed on the Sotomayor nomination in the WSJ last week. Just in case you don’t read the same blogs I do, I thought I’d highlight it here. It is brilliant. Here’s a taste: One can have compassion for workers who lose their jobs ... Economics in one lesson
The Cousins Recruiting Saga Continues (Again)
It wasn’t too long ago that I blogged about the purported end of the Demarcus Cousins saga. For TOTM readers that want to catch up to speed, here is how things stood about a month ago: For those who haven’t, Cousins is a blue chip high school basketball recruit who has been bargaining hard with ... The Cousins Recruiting Saga Continues (Again)
Kieff on Carrier’s Innovation in the 21st Century
I, too, join the rest of the participants in congratulating Michael Carrier on this great book about this great topic. I have enjoyed reading Michael’s work in the past and I enjoyed meeting him at a conference last year. He is a wonderfully warm, bright, and engaging person. Although I wish that I had more ... Kieff on Carrier’s Innovation in the 21st Century
AIG Isn't Too Big Too Fail
So says Lucian Bebchuk in the WSJ: While AIG has thus far been able to cover derivative losses using government funds, the possibility of large additional losses must be recognized. AIG recently stated that it still has about $1.6 trillion in “notional derivatives exposure.” Suppose, for example, that AIG ends up with losses equal to, ... AIG Isn't Too Big Too Fail
Who’s Your Nanny?
My law school classmate, M. Todd Henderson (Chicago Law), has posted an interesting paper on SSRN. The paper, entitled The Nanny Corporation and the Market for Paternalism, explores “Nannyism” by business firms and the government. Nannyism consists of imposing paternalistic rules designed to protect the governed — e.g., rules against smoking, drinking, over-eating, and engaging ... Who’s Your Nanny?
