Google Analytics is a powerful tool that tracks and analyzes website traffic for informed marketing decisions.
Service URL: policies.google.com (opens in a new window)
_gac_
Contains information related to marketing campaigns of the user. These are shared with Google AdWords / Google Ads when the Google Ads and Google Analytics accounts are linked together.
90 days
__utma
ID used to identify users and sessions
2 years after last activity
__utmt
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests
10 minutes
__utmb
Used to distinguish new sessions and visits. This cookie is set when the GA.js javascript library is loaded and there is no existing __utmb cookie. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
30 minutes after last activity
__utmc
Used only with old Urchin versions of Google Analytics and not with GA.js. Was used to distinguish between new sessions and visits at the end of a session.
End of session (browser)
__utmz
Contains information about the traffic source or campaign that directed user to the website. The cookie is set when the GA.js javascript is loaded and updated when data is sent to the Google Anaytics server
6 months after last activity
__utmv
Contains custom information set by the web developer via the _setCustomVar method in Google Analytics. This cookie is updated every time new data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
2 years after last activity
__utmx
Used to determine whether a user is included in an A / B or Multivariate test.
18 months
_ga
ID used to identify users
2 years
_gali
Used by Google Analytics to determine which links on a page are being clicked
30 seconds
_ga_
ID used to identify users
2 years
_gid
ID used to identify users for 24 hours after last activity
24 hours
_gat
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests when using Google Tag Manager
1 minute
Thanks for posting the Arthur Laffer article on price transparency. The article probed into a very important area.
I would note, however, that the three largest instances of cost savings had nothing to do with individual patient-consumers. I have followed the Montana employer plans and the Rosen plans in detail, and their savings came from employers asserting themselves. Individual patient choices were not involved.
Also, the table of price variations in Los Angeles was not too helpful. One hospital may have a $6,000 rack rate but offer a 60% discount to large insurers. Another hospital may have a $5,000 rack rate but offer a 50% discount. Ultimately the price is about the same.
I believe the $10K SALT deduction limit is scheduled to expire at the end of 2025 anyway, and I don’t see much prospect for renewal in a divided Congress. We’ll be lucky if we have a House speaker by then.
A study was done in 2014 covering a large group of Calpers patients and price transparency.
One batch of patients was given price transparency tools, and another batch was not.
The results after two years was that spending on lab tests and office visits went down slightly for the group that had disclosed prices. Overall spending did not go down very much however.
This is completely consistent with my own lived experience. For serious and expensive care, I am going to go to a doctor that I trust.
In theory a pregnant couple could shop around for the best hospital prices. Do they really do so?
I like the idea of price transparency, but Dr. Laffer makes claims for it that I do not think are justified.
”Dr. Laffer makes claims for it that I do not think are justified”
Please elaborate. Why not? 😎