Michael G Farnworth1. 1. Department of Economics, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3. mikefarn@unb.ca
Abstract
ISSUE: The role of prices charged to patients as a policy instrument for altering waiting times. METHOD: A game theoretic model is used to examine the determinants of waiting times. RESULTS: Under certain circumstances an increase in the price charged to patients at some institutions will lower the waiting times at all institutions. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide a set of policy implications and testable predictions that arise under a certain set of assumptions. Alternative assumptions as well as the policy implications and testable predictions associated with them are also examined.
ISSUE: The role of prices charged to patients as a policy instrument for altering waiting times. METHOD: A game theoretic model is used to examine the determinants of waiting times. RESULTS: Under certain circumstances an increase in the price charged to patients at some institutions will lower the waiting times at all institutions. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide a set of policy implications and testable predictions that arise under a certain set of assumptions. Alternative assumptions as well as the policy implications and testable predictions associated with them are also examined.