Privatization has been shown to increase growth and profitability of public firms. However, effects on consumers are understudied. We study potential trade-offs in the US hospital sector where public control declined by 42% over 1983-2019. Private operators may improve hospitals' financial...

Voluntary participation is a central feature of reforms being tested across US healthcare. Allowing choice can enhance effects if participants sort on unobserved treatment gains. However, selection may also bias program evaluation, misleading policymakers. We study this trade-off in the case of...

Background: International studies (e.g. Asplin et al. 2005) show that waiting time for inpatient treatment depends on how the claimed services are financed. In Germany there is an ongoing debate about the assumption that privately insured patients do not only receive more benefits than members...