Princeton economists: Physicians are ‘taking money away from the rest of us’

Princeton University economists and Nobel Prize winners Anne Case, PhD, and Angus Deaton, PhD, have some choice words about physicians and their contribution to the healthcare cost problem in the U.S.

Advertisement

The duo spoke at the American Economic Association’s annual meeting on Jan. 4 about the unnecessarily high cost of healthcare in the U.S., according to The Washington Post. They noted that the cost is so high that American households currently pay $8,000 more each year for healthcare than the Swiss, who have the second most expensive healthcare system in the world.

Drs. Case and Deaton hold all healthcare stakeholders responsible for this cost differential but are “especially critical” of physicians and their income levels. 

“We have half as many physicians per head as most European countries, yet they get paid two times as much, on average,” Dr. Deaton said, according to The Washington Post. “Physicians are a giant rent-seeking conspiracy that’s taking money away from the rest of us, and yet everybody loves physicians. You can’t touch them.”

Read more here.

More articles on integration and physician issues:

Trinity Health of New England expands CIN
MaineHealth, MidCoast Hospital to allow clinicians to opt out of physician-assisted suicide
80% of DO students report low sense of personal achievement

Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit

Advertisement

Next Up in Integration & Physician Issues

Advertisement

Comments are closed.