In The News

Professor Mark Pauly provides a clear analysis of the Trump administration’s current efforts to both reduce US drug prices and promote R&D by setting its eyes on the European system. 

Professor Allison Hoffman breaks down the misrepresented idea of “choice” behind several Democratic Presidential Nominees’ support for alternative healthcare options to Medicare for all. She shows the structural barriers that make it so that even with a choice, often patrons make poor health insurance decisions.

Professor Cornelia Colijn discusses the important role of cities in the fight against climate change. She address why they are at the forefront of this effort and why cities favor adaptation solutions rather than mitigatory ones.

Professor Corinne Low and Judd B. Kessler discuss their research into hiring bias and their findings. Even in companies that purportedly champion diversity, there were indicators of implicit bias that favor some applicants over others. 

Professor Mauro Guillen comments on the implications of the rising tensions between the US and China on the export dependent Korean economy. He urges the Korean Government to be cognizant of the ripple effect that will likely be felt from the currency war, onto the global economy, and then onto Korea. 

Professor Joseph Harrington discuss T-Mobile and Sprint’s move to convince regulators that a merger is well advised. The companies proposes a fast track to 5G rollout and the creation of a new carrier: Dish. Though creative, Harrington has his doubts

What does a drop in construction spending mean for economists? Professor Susan Wachter claims that it could be a harbinger of a slowing economy. 

Is a US economic recession imminent? Professor Jeremy Siegel says, no, but a slowdown is perhaps in the horizon. “I don’t see [a recession coming up]. I also think that the Fed has enough silver bullets” he says. 

In a discussion on Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang’s basic universal income idea, the authors cite Professor Ioana’s research on the Alaska Permanent Fund, the closest active comparison to Yang’s policy. 

In a discussion on the Fed’s recent push to be more transparent, Professor Peter Conti-Brown comments on how the federal bank did not always operate this way. 

Accounting Professor comments on the risks imposed by a government proposal to provide audit waivers to certain companies; “There should be no question that this will unambiguously lead to weaker internal controls, greater restatements and greater destruction of shareholder wealth.”

In a discussion on Puerto Rico’s bankruptcy plan, Professor David Skeel comments how its success could encourage similar state bankruptcy plans while its failure would have the opposite effect.

Professor Herbert Hovenkamp anticipates that the Capitol’s big tech hearing will focus on issues of anticompetitive behavior/acquisitions and exclusionary contracts. 

In a discussion on the ramifications of legal challenges to the ACA, Professor Mark Pauly comments, “I will be heartsick if it’s declared unconstitutional. My view is that you should be required to have health insurance just like you’re required to wear clothes in cold weather.”

Wharton’s Brian Feinstein discusses his research on how judicial foreclosure can help states fill the policy gap left by the federal government’s pullback from regulatory enforcement of mortgage-lending.

Professor Barbara Kahn comments on the effective costumer service model practiced by local Philadelphia institution Fante’s as it battles to resist ecommerce hegemony. 

Professor Matthew Grennan joins in a conversation regarding President Trump’s recent executive order to increase transparency in the hospital prices. Grennan addresses whether or not the move will ultimately raise prices for consumers. 

Professor Cary Coglianese comments on the recent political contestation around the census question. Though there is a legal avenue by which the question could end up on the census, Coglianese is skeptical. 

Professor Peter Cappelli comments on how current trends that outsource hiring actual result in greater inefficiency. There are simpler practices such as internal evaluations that can better identify the best talent. 

In light of the Federal Reserve’s stress test exemption of 17 smaller banks, Professor Peter Conti-Brown decodes the regulator’s behavior and highlights the cost to do otherwise. 

Professor Howard Kunreuther discusses why federal bodies need to insure against terrorist attacks and highlights the ambiguous but potentially catastrophic economic implications of a failure to do so.

In light of the public fascination around health care in the upcoming presidential election, Professor Ashley Swanson discusses the merits of a Preferred Pharmacy approach rather than the “health care for all” framework.