How much medical care does society owe Americans that they could not otherwise afford? It’s not a philosophical question, such as how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. This question plays out every day.
CBO: Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Not Very Innovative
The poorly named Affordable Care Act created the office of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). As Joe Albanese explains in National Review the new agency’s mission
…is to test new ways of paying for and delivering health-care services in federal health programs through pilot programs called “models.” These models are required by law to reduce costs and/or improve quality of care, which they pursue by enacting major policy changes.
Friday Links
- Cost and benefits of legalizing pot: The economic benefits are broadly distributed, while the social costs may be more concentrated among individuals who use marijuana heavily. Recommended.
- Capitation v. fee-for-service medicine: fewer visits and fever services.
- Alex Tabarrok on “deaths of despair.”
- Ending homelessness: the case for “Housing First.” Timothy Taylor is always good, but I think I disagree with this.
What is Causing the Mental Heath Crisis Among Young People?
Americans are suffering a crisis of mental health. The crisis is especially pronounced among young people. This extends beyond the Covid-19 outbreak when schools were closed, kids were taught from home and shut off from their peers. Research has found that Millennials and Generation Z experience more negative emotions (stress and anxiety) than older generations, with Gen Z worse off than Millennials. Perhaps the explanation is that younger adults are new at adult life. Beginning careers, getting married and starting families is stressful in the beginning.