Comments on: Begging to Differ http://sheilakennedy.net/2009/11/begging-to-differ/ Thinking about Liberty Thu, 17 May 2012 21:46:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: shekenne http://sheilakennedy.net/2009/11/begging-to-differ/comment-page-1/#comment-469 shekenne Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:06:25 +0000 http://sheilakennedy.net/?p=919#comment-469 Robert--I don't know the answer to your second question, but the answer to the first is YES. If we control health costs--and especially if we remove the onus of providing health insurance from employers--wages would undoubtedly rise. Robert–I don’t know the answer to your second question, but the answer to the first is YES. If we control health costs–and especially if we remove the onus of providing health insurance from employers–wages would undoubtedly rise.

]]> By: Robert http://sheilakennedy.net/2009/11/begging-to-differ/comment-page-1/#comment-467 Robert Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:58:08 +0000 http://sheilakennedy.net/?p=919#comment-467 Two questions: What is the effect of that "wedge" on wages? While we have recorded economic growth and improved worker efficiency over the past decade, worker pay has been relatively flat (adjusted for inflation). Are the proceeds of growth and efficiency simply being re-directed to the health sector, and does that suppress economic growth that would otherwise result from elective consumer spending? Does the exemption of health benefits from the individual's income tax serve a purpose? i.e. Would insured people's coverage preferences change if they faced consumer decisions more similar to those of uninsured workers? Two questions:
What is the effect of that “wedge” on wages? While we have recorded economic growth and improved worker efficiency over the past decade, worker pay has been relatively flat (adjusted for inflation). Are the proceeds of growth and efficiency simply being re-directed to the health sector, and does that suppress economic growth that would otherwise result from elective consumer spending?
Does the exemption of health benefits from the individual’s income tax serve a purpose? i.e. Would insured people’s coverage preferences change if they faced consumer decisions more similar to those of uninsured workers?

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