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Briefly Explain The ' Wealth Effect '

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1. Briefly explain the 'wealth effect '. In your explanation, please discuss and explain how this theory relates to the purchase of health insurance.
The ‘wealth effect’ is when an individual is less likely to purchase insurance, avoiding premiums and other payments, and saving their money to self insure, or use the money they saved on premiums and payments to pay whatever services they may need. The ‘wealth effect’ in relation to the purchase of health insurance has an inverse relationship. As a person’s wealth increases, their sensitivity to premiums decrease and are more likely to purchase health insurance. In other words, the weathier an individual is, the less of an issue insurance premiums become.

2. In 2004, there was nationwide litigation against several large not-for-profit health systems. Please explain the following: What was the reason for this action? Why did the lawsuit (mainly) targeted not-for-profit hospitals? Please identify the government response (federal, state and local level) to this occurrence.
In 2004, thirteen class action lawsuits had been filed in eight different states against not-for-profit hospital systems. In general, the reason for these lawsuits consisted of breach of contract, EMTALA violations, fraud, unjust enrichment, and civil conspiracy. In exchange for tax exemption status, the not-for-profit hospital systems were to provide affordable medical care to their patients. However, the plaintiffs, patients, were charged excessive amounts

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