Massachusetts Institute of Technology health economist Amy Finkelstein was joined by Mark McClellan, former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration and current Duke professor, and Joshua Gottlieb, professor at the Harris School, to discuss how to effectively reform US health insurance. Michael Greenstone, Director of the Becker Friedman Institute, moderated this discussion. Finkelstein was a 2023-2024 TC Liu Distinguished Visitor at BFI.
Most observers are convinced that America’s healthcare system needs reform. However, reform proposals and debates rarely articulate a clear goal for reform. That’s where Amy Finkelstein’s new book “We’ve Got You Covered: Rebooting American Health Care” (with co-author, Liran Einav) argues we have to begin. They argue that US policy history -and current US policy – reveal an unwritten social contract, “the enduring, but unwritten, social norm that the US has been trying—but failing—to fulfill: universal access to essential, basic health care, regardless of a patient’s resources… it’s time to go back to the drawing board and finally do it right.” In her presentation and following discussion, Finkelstein discussed her original and provocative blueprint for reform, and why it can work.
Agenda
Registration and Reception
Friedman Hall Prefunction
Welcome and Introduction
Matthew Notowidigdo, David McDaniel Keller Professor of Economics/Business and Public Policy Fellow, University of Chicago
Remarks
Amy Finkelstein, John & Jennie S. MacDonald Professor of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Author of, “We’ve Got You Covered.” 2023-2024 TC Liu Distinguished Visitor.
Round Table Discussion and Q&A
Amy Finkelstein, John & Jennie S. MacDonald Professor of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Author of, “We’ve Got You Covered.” (Discussant)
Joshua Gottlieb, Professor, Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago (Discussant)
Michael Greenstone, Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics, Director of the Becker Friedman Institute and Energy Policy Institute, University of Chicago (Moderator)
Mark McClellan, Director and Robert J. Margolis, M.D., Professor of Business, Medicine and Policy, Duke University (Discussant)