Robin McKnight
Professor of Economics
Health economist, using the tools of economics to answer questions about health policy.
I am interested in the economics of health insurance, especially issues that arise from government intervention in heath insurance markets, such as through Medicare policy. Some of my past research projects have examined the impacts of incentives faced by providers through reimbursement policy and by patients through copayment policy. In other projects, I have explored the consequences of Medicare’s introduction for the first generation of beneficiaries, and I have examined options for expanding health insurance coverage among young adults.
At Wellesley, I teach an introductory course in probability and statistical methods (Econ 103) and an intermediate microeconomics course (Econ 201). These courses provide students with the analytical and statistical tools to answer a wide range of economic questions. In addition, I teach an advanced elective in health economics (Econ 332), which applies these tools to issues in health, health care, and health insurance.
I am a research associate in the health care program at the National Bureau of Economic Research and an associate member of the National Academy of Social Insurance.
Education
- B.A., Amherst College
- Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Current and upcoming courses
Advanced Health Economics
ECON332
This course applies microeconomics to issues in health, medical care, and health insurance. Emphasis is placed on policy-relevant empirical research. Topics include the impact of health insurance on health, the interaction between health insurance and the labor market, the government's role in health care, the economics of medical provider reimbursement, and the effects of medical malpractice policy.
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Econometrics
ECON203
This course introduces students to the methods economists use to assess empirical relationships, primarily regression analysis. Issues examined include statistical significance, goodness-of-fit, dummy variables, and model assumptions. Includes an introduction to panel data models, instrumental variables, and randomized and natural experiments. Students learn to apply the concepts to data, read economic research, and write an empirical research paper.