- 31 Jan 2023
- Op-Ed
Can Insurance Technology Solve the Uninsured Driver Problem?
High fees prevent many drivers from buying auto insurance—often with catastrophic consequences. Raymond Kluender offers a novel way to make coverage affordable and roads safer: Let drivers pay for only the days they drive.
- 06 Sep 2022
- Research & Ideas
Curbing an Unlikely Culprit of Rising Drug Prices: Pharmaceutical Donations
Policymakers of every leaning have vowed to rein in prescription drug costs, with little success. But research by Leemore Dafny shows how closing a loophole on drugmaker donations could eliminate one driver of rising expenses.
- 07 Sep 2021
- Research & Ideas
Who Pays For Wildfire and Hurricane Damage? Everyone.
Think only coastal states bear the costs related to rising seas? Research by Ishita Sen and colleagues shows how homeowners everywhere pay for climate change, regardless of location. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 17 Sep 2020
- Research & Ideas
Many Small-Business Employees May Be Close to Losing Health Insurance
Small-business owners have delayed rent payments and other bills to protect health benefits for employees. Now, financial pressure is mounting, according to research by Leemore Dafny, Yin Wei Soon, Zoë Cullen, and Christopher Stanton. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 31 Aug 2020
- Working Paper Summaries
The Pass-Through of Uncertainty Shocks to Households
A firm’s stock price volatility during times of uncertainty can significantly reduce workers’ consumption and savings decisions. This paper sheds light on the economic effects of uncertainty, and in particular, how firms provide insurance to their workers during periods of turmoil.
- 26 Jun 2018
- Working Paper Summaries
The Impact of Pensions and Insurance on Global Yield Curves
The global financial crisis and its aftermath had a dramatic impact on the solvency of pension funds and insurance companies. Drawing on a large cross-section of countries, this paper shows the importance of pension and insurance companies in determining the yields on long maturity bonds around the world.
- 20 Apr 2017
- Cold Call Podcast
Making Health Insurance That Consumers Actually Like
By motivating its insurance customers to take care of themselves, South African firm Vitality has expanded to the United Kingdom and China. In this podcast, Professor Regina Herzlinger discusses potential impacts of this model for health care in the United States. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 13 Jul 2009
- Research & Ideas
Diagnosing the Public Health Care Alternative
With deep experience in health insurance reform, HBS faculty describe how improved competition in insurance plans could improve value for patients. Professors Regina E. Herzlinger, Robert Huckman, and Michael E. Porter take the pulse of a debate. Key concepts include: "A government market with an underpriced Medicare would likely lead to the death of private-sector markets and products," say Professor Regina E. Herzlinger and coauthor Tom Coburn (R-OK). Patients would like the option of a public insurance plan, according to Professor Robert Huckman. Competition among insurers should be based on improving patients' health outcomes achieved per dollar spent, writes Professor Michael E. Porter. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
Can a ‘Basic Bundle’ of Health Insurance Cure Coverage Gaps and Spur Innovation?
One in 10 people in America lack health insurance, resulting in $40 billion of care that goes unpaid each year. Amitabh Chandra and colleagues say ensuring basic coverage for all residents, as other wealthy nations do, could address the most acute needs and unlock efficiency.