Author Archives

David Cutler, PhD, is the Otto Eckstein Professor of Applied Economics, Department of Economics and Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

• JAMA Forum: Rising Medical Costs Mean More Rough Times Ahead

  By David Cutler, PhD on June 23, 2017

  

  Medical costs are rising again, after recent years of historic lows. As the figure shows, growth rates of real per person medical spending in the past 3 years have averaged 3.4% annually, up from 0.9% in 2011 to 2013. Although… Read More ›

• JAMA Forum: Promises Made, Promises Broken: The Failure of the American Health Care Act

  By David Cutler, PhD on March 22, 2017

  

  President Trump and the Republican Party made very explicit promises about how they will reform health care. To conservatives, the GOP promised complete repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). To individuals and families struggling with medical bills, they promised… Read More ›

• JAMA Forum: Gearing Up for the Health Care Debate

  By David Cutler, PhD on December 14, 2016

  

  A new administration is coming to Washington, promising yet another health care reform. Although the debate over health policy will surely be more unpredictable with President-elect Trump than it has been with most other politicians, that does not mean it… Read More ›

• JAMA Forum: Health and Taxes

  By David Cutler, PhD on September 28, 2016

  

  Health care shows up on the political agenda in 2 very different ways, as a social issue and a budget issue. These 2 views prompt very different sets of questions and also shape how the 2 major political parties focus… Read More ›

• JAMA Forum: Who Would the Presidential Candidates Pick to Head Key Health Agencies?

  By David Cutler, PhD on June 29, 2016

  

  I normally pay close attention to the health care proposals of Presidential candidates. I scrutinize the details of their positions and ferret out their vision for the nation’s health system. This election is different. While proposals still intrigue me, I… Read More ›

• JAMA Forum: Building a Better Health Care System: the Work Ahead

  By David Cutler, PhD on March 30, 2016

  

  Here are 4 health care proposals that have been made by politicians running for office. How many do you agree with? 1. “[Health care reform] should expand competition in the marketplace, it should empower consumers and patients to make healthcare… Read More ›

• JAMA Forum: Campaign Wars: Health Policy in a Fantasy World

  By David Cutler, PhD on November 23, 2015

  

  Watching national health reform debates reminds me of a night at the movies. On the one hand, there are true-life stories like “Apollo 13,” that profile actual people and the problems they face. And then there are the fantasies, like… Read More ›