UC San Diego

This dissertation utilizes tools from the field of economics to analyze policy-relevant healthcare research questions. The four chapters in this paper can be summarized as follows: Chapter 1. Physician compensation has a significant impact on surgery rates. When specialists are paid through a fee-for-system scheme rather than on a capitation basis, surgery rates increase 78%. The impact of primary care physician compensation on surgery rates depends on whether or not referral restrictions are present. Chapter 2. Prudence preferences have been shown to influence precautionary savings, asset allocation, and optimal prevention levels. Using new measures of prudence, we find that 53% of survey participants are prudent and 15% are imprudent. Preferences for prudence are strong among both risk loving and risk averse individuals. Chapter 3. Analyzing new data from Southern California providers, we find that the CDC's decision to centralize their vaccine distribution system lead to longer delivery times and increased vaccine stockouts. Chapter 4. Married people weigh more than non- married individuals. We suggest that exiting the dating market decreases one's incentive to maintain their appearance and leads to an increase in body weight. Evidence from a 14-year panel from the Netherlands shows that decreased incentives to maintain one's appearance after marriage partially explains this weight differential for women.