Some argue that the price elasticity of demand can be used to determine whether a good or service is a luxury or a necessity. In medical care, a procedure with an elastic demand would be considered optional, or elective, and a procedure with an inelastic demand would be a medical necessity. Should planners use price elasticity of demand as a guide to defining services that are medically necessary? What are the advantages of such a classification scheme? What are the drawbacks?

EBK HEALTH ECONOMICS AND POLICY
7th Edition
ISBN:9781337668279
Author:Henderson
Publisher:Henderson
Chapter5: Demand For Health And Medical Care
Section: Chapter Questions
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Some argue that the price elasticity of demand can be used to determine whether a good or service is a luxury or a necessity. In medical care, a procedure with an elastic demand would be considered optional, or elective, and a procedure with an inelastic demand would be a medical necessity. Should planners use price elasticity of demand as a guide to defining services that are medically necessary? What are the advantages of such a classification scheme? What are the drawbacks?

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