http://hdl.handle.net/10453/257 Mon, 20 May 2013 07:39:48 GMT 2013-05-20T07:39:48Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/12585 Comments on 'Convergence Properties Likelihood of Computed Dynamic Models' Ackerberg Dan; Geweke John; Hahn Jinyong We show by counterexample that Proposition 2 in Fernández-Villaverde, Rubio- Ramírez, and Santos (Econometrica (2006), 74, 93¿119) is false. We also show that even if their Proposition 2 were corrected, it would be irrelevant for parameter estimates. As a more constructive contribution, we consider the effects of approximation error on parameter estimation, and conclude that second order approximation errors in the policy function have at most second order effects on parameter estimates. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10453/12585 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/11840 The permanent need for political economy O'Donnell Rod My purpose here is to offer, in hindsight, an assessment of the significance of the dispute in terms of its two underlying issues ¿ the nature of economics and the role of university ideals. I write as someone who was a student activist, both inside and outside official channels, from 1974 to 1977 during the first major phase of the dispute, who graduated with degrees in economics (BEc) and philosophy (BA) and who, supported by scholarships from Sydney University, took a doctorate in Economics at Cambridge prior to returning to Australia and an academic career. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10453/11840 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/10004 Bayesian Inference for Hospital Quality in a Selection Model Geweke John; Gowrisankaran G.; Town R.J. This paper develops new econometric methods to infer hospital quality in a model with discrete dependent variables and nonrandom selection. Mortality rates in patient discharge records are widely used to infer hospital quality. However, hospital admission is not random and some hospitals may attract patients with greater unobserved severity of illness than others. In this situation the assumption of random admission leads to spurious inference about hospital quality. This study controls for hospital selection using a model in which distance between the patient's residence and alternative hospitals are key exogenous variables. Bayesian inference in this model is feasible using a Markov chain Monte Carlo posterior simulator, and attaches posterior probabilities to quality comparisons between individual hospitals and groups of hospitals. The study uses data on 74,848 Medicare patients admitted to 114 hospitals in Los Angeles County from 1989 through 1992 with a diagnosis of pneumonia. It finds the smallest and largest hospitals to be of the highest quality. There is strong evidence of dependence between the unobserved severity of illness and the assignment of patients to hospitals, whereby patients with a high unobserved severity of illness are disproportionately admitted to high quality hospitals. Consequently a conventional probit model leads to inferences about quality that are markedly different from those in this study's selection model. Wed, 01 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10453/10004 2003-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/9995 Sources of variation in the costs of health care for asthma patients in Australia Kenny Patsy; Hall Jane; King Madeleine; Lancsar Emily Objectives: Individuals with chronic conditions, such as asthma, on average incur high health care costs, though good control can reduce costs and improve health outcomes. However, there may be substantial variation between patients in their use of services and therefore costs. Our objective was to investigate the sources of such variation in health system and out-of-pocket costs for people with asthma. Methods: A longitudinal observational study of 252 people with asthma in New South Wales, Australia, followed for three years, using six-monthly postal surveys and individual administrative data. Factors associated with costs were investigated using generalized linear mixed models. Results: There was substantial variability in costs between individuals but relatively little within-person change over time for the majority. Costs to the health system and out-of-pocket costs were higher with increasing asthma-related health problems and increasing age. Health system costs were less for patients living outside the state capital (Sydney) and for those in the middle income group relative to high and low income groups. Conclusions: Those with poorly-controlled asthma and the elderly require more carefully targeted strategies to improve their health and ensure appropriate use of resources. Access to appropriate services for those living outside of major cities should be improved. Co-payments for the middle-income groups and those living outside major cities should be reduced to improve equity in the use of services. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10453/9995 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z