Robin McKnight

Professor of Economics

Department

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