The Incidental Economist Podcast

For those who want to hear more about Halbig and King, the Federalist Society hosted a podcast yesterday where Jonathan Adler and I discussed the cases and their potential fallout. Adler is one of the architects of the lawsuits and, although we disagree on the merits, he’s both fair and thoughtful about the cases. I couldn’t wish for a better sparring partner.  

Obviously these podcasts will not be weekly. We’ll strive for a more sustainable “occasional” one. Anyway, in the podcast below, we discuss electronic medical records. We’re sorry to say, it’s rather depressing. Here are some relevant links to prior posts: Will health IT increase productivity in health care? In health IT, standards matter The elusive electronic medical record

Aaron and Austin discuss competitive bidding and, at the end, how it relates (or not) to Mitt Romney’s Medicare reform plan. More competitive bidding links are in the FAQ. Prior posts on Romney’s plan are here, here, and here. As always, you’ll find more podcasts in the archive.

Last week, the US Preventative Services Task Force recommended against routine screening for prostate cancer. Like their recommendations for mammograms in 2009, this one has stirred up a bit of controversy. We discuss it in the podcast below. For more on prostate cancer screening and treatment, see the FAQ entry. For more on our podcasts, see the podcast archive. Programming note: Due to scheduling conflicts, there will be no podcast this Friday. We hope to post the next one on October 28.

In this episode, Aaron and Austin discuss the purpose of the individual mandate and its legal future as it heads toward the Supreme Court. Below are links to related posts. As always, you can find prior podcasts in the podcast archives, along with subscription information. CBS News report on Rep. Ryan’s recent mandate comments (as mentioned in the podcast) Aaron’s CNN column on the mandate and the Supreme Court The “unconstitutional” post tag pulls up many other relevant posts

In this segment, Aaron and Austin describe the trials and tribulations of getting health services research funded. It’s harder than you may think. See the podcast archive for prior episodes and subscription information.

In this segment, Aaron and Austin talked about cost shifting. You’ll find more information on this topic in the FAQ, which includes a section devoted to it. If you’re interested in our other podcasts or subscribing to them, see our podcast archive.

In this segment, Aaron and Austin discuss the evidence on which type of insurer better controls health care costs: public or private. For more on this topic, see Austin’s post this morning, which includes links to many of our previous ones. For prior podcasts and subscription information, see our podcast archive.

This week, we discuss what’s actually involved in becoming a physician. From college, to medical school, to residency and beyond, we’ll detail exactly how you get there, and how much it costs. Related posts include: Doctors as martyrs How to make doctors miserable people (now with data!) Why would people want their doctors to be unhappy? Residency, salary, and primary care doctors Residency, salary, and primary care doctors – ctd. and, one of Aaron’s most-read posts, Health care from the heart – my response. You’ll find other podcasts and podcast subscription info in our podcast archive.

Below you will find links to our new podcast. Though we do cover the idea of political feasibility and whether single payer is or is not feasible, we also discuss some other reform proposals, like those of Rep. Paul Ryan. See also the following, related posts: Political Feasibility Political feasibility is relevant Realists and radicals How repeal happens And a blast from the past from Aaron: Wishing won’t make it 60 Single Payer Single payer: Not so political infeasible Why not national single payer now? Single payer resources Administrative burden is not just on the insurance end Is single payer good for your health? Vermont single payor Rep. Ryan’s Medicare and Medicaid Plans For cost control, Medicare and vouchers don’t add up Rep. Ryan’s proposal is not Rhode Island’s GOP Medicare privatization plan is like employer-sponsored insurance. And that’s not a good thing. Find more podcasts and subscription information in our podcast archive.