Health Economics Price Essay

ESSAY QUESTION #1 - Due back on February 28th Please email your paper to: Cost, Access and quality are the cornerstones to measuring the success of a healthcare system.  In the United States, hospital bills and exorbitant drug prices inhibit people from accessing care and taking their medications.  Please take a look at these two issues and answer BOTH questions: 1. Price escalation in hospitals is largely due to consolidation of hospital systems. Please discuss the impact of hospital mergers on both providers and consumers.  2. Drug prices: The United States has just over 4 percent of the world’s population, and yet it accounts for nearly half of global drug spending. On average, the United States spends $1,443 per person a year on drugs. This cannot be explained by utilization; the difference is the drug prices we pay. Why are we paying more? Take a look at the reasons behind the costs. Make sure to include PBMs (Pharmaceutical Benefit Managers) and what other countries do to negotiate drug prices.