Aaron Schwartz
@aschwartz.bsky.social
MD-PhD professing at the University of Pennsylvania. Health, economics, and health economics.
Pinned
Health Care Utilization and Low-Value Service Use After Risk-Based Contract Adoption
This cohort study examined whether health care organizations’ transition to risk-based payment contracts in Medicare Advantage was associated with changes in health care utilization or use of low-valu...
jamanetwork.com
🚨New Publication🚨 Risk-based provider payment is more common in Medicare Advantage than any other segment of US health care financing. What happens to broad categories of health care utilization, and low-value service use, when provider groups adopt these contracts? jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
Y’all, this CSWEP newsletter is a banger. Five women economists generously share their stories about navigating family and career. 🔥 @jialanw.bsky.social @kmpjones.bsky.social Sarah Hamersma, Kosali Simon, and Sarah Baird. It was an honor to "edit" (which mostly involved sitting back for good reads)
CSWEP News Issue IV, "Focus on Fertility" by @caitlinmyers.bsky.social is out now. www.aeaweb.org/content/file...
www.aeaweb.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Y’all, this CSWEP newsletter is a banger. Five women economists generously share their stories about navigating family and career. 🔥 @jialanw.bsky.social @kmpjones.bsky.social Sarah Hamersma, Kosali Simon, and Sarah Baird. It was an honor to "edit" (which mostly involved sitting back for good reads)
This issue of @aeacswep.bsky.social “Focus on Fertility” has invaluable testimonies from economists, with @caitlinmyers.bsky.social
Kosali Simon on having 6 kids, K Jones on ART, S Hamersma on special needs parenting, Sarah Baird on choosing a childless life + more
www.aeaweb.org/content/file...
Kosali Simon on having 6 kids, K Jones on ART, S Hamersma on special needs parenting, Sarah Baird on choosing a childless life + more
www.aeaweb.org/content/file...
November 25, 2025 at 9:11 PM
This issue of @aeacswep.bsky.social “Focus on Fertility” has invaluable testimonies from economists, with @caitlinmyers.bsky.social
Kosali Simon on having 6 kids, K Jones on ART, S Hamersma on special needs parenting, Sarah Baird on choosing a childless life + more
www.aeaweb.org/content/file...
Kosali Simon on having 6 kids, K Jones on ART, S Hamersma on special needs parenting, Sarah Baird on choosing a childless life + more
www.aeaweb.org/content/file...
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
Do you have a paper on health insurance policy in the Marketplace, MA, or group markets that you would like to present @ashecon.bsky.social in a panel with @dmaanderson.bsky.social @paulshafer.bsky.social sky.social and me? If so, please shoot me an email or DM!
November 25, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Do you have a paper on health insurance policy in the Marketplace, MA, or group markets that you would like to present @ashecon.bsky.social in a panel with @dmaanderson.bsky.social @paulshafer.bsky.social sky.social and me? If so, please shoot me an email or DM!
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
Forthcoming in AEJ: Economic Policy: "Female Leaders and Intrahousehold Dynamics: Evidence from State Elections in India" by S Anukriti, Bilge Erten, and Priya Mukherjee. www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=...
Female Leaders and Intrahousehold Dynamics: Evidence from State Elections in India
(Forthcoming Article) - We study the impact of women's political representation on the
wellbeing of their female constituents, specifically in the domain of
health. Increasing women's political repres...
www.aeaweb.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Forthcoming in AEJ: Economic Policy: "Female Leaders and Intrahousehold Dynamics: Evidence from State Elections in India" by S Anukriti, Bilge Erten, and Priya Mukherjee. www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=...
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
“You are taking the decision away from the reviewers, and you’re putting it in the hands of the political leaders of FDA,” Fernandez Lynch said.
It doesn't take an expert to understand how bad this is. More great reporting from @lizzylawrence.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/11/21/t...
It doesn't take an expert to understand how bad this is. More great reporting from @lizzylawrence.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/11/21/t...
FDA review staff was excluded from voting on whether to approve first priority voucher drug
Top officials like Vinay Prasad and George Tidmarsh voted on the drug, a major break from the FDA's typical practice.
www.statnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:31 PM
“You are taking the decision away from the reviewers, and you’re putting it in the hands of the political leaders of FDA,” Fernandez Lynch said.
It doesn't take an expert to understand how bad this is. More great reporting from @lizzylawrence.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/11/21/t...
It doesn't take an expert to understand how bad this is. More great reporting from @lizzylawrence.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/11/21/t...
It's a bad time to be in the knowledge production business, Exhibit 9,341.
Update on the state of the job market courtesy of a nudge by @gottliebecon.bsky.social
It's bad!
paulgp.com/2025/11/24/j...
It's bad!
paulgp.com/2025/11/24/j...
Economics Job Market Update: November 2025 - A Historic Low
paulgp.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:12 PM
It's a bad time to be in the knowledge production business, Exhibit 9,341.
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
🚨 New working paper!
How well do people predict the results of studies?
@sdellavi.bsky.social and I leverage data from the first 100 studies to have been posted on the SSPP, containing 1,482 key questions, on which over 50,000 forecasts were placed. Some surprising results below.... 🧵👇
How well do people predict the results of studies?
@sdellavi.bsky.social and I leverage data from the first 100 studies to have been posted on the SSPP, containing 1,482 key questions, on which over 50,000 forecasts were placed. Some surprising results below.... 🧵👇
November 24, 2025 at 3:43 PM
🚨 New working paper!
How well do people predict the results of studies?
@sdellavi.bsky.social and I leverage data from the first 100 studies to have been posted on the SSPP, containing 1,482 key questions, on which over 50,000 forecasts were placed. Some surprising results below.... 🧵👇
How well do people predict the results of studies?
@sdellavi.bsky.social and I leverage data from the first 100 studies to have been posted on the SSPP, containing 1,482 key questions, on which over 50,000 forecasts were placed. Some surprising results below.... 🧵👇
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
1/ "Policy claims markedly increased in frequency from 17.6% in 1990-1999 to 35.8% in 2020-2024... Our findings raise questions about how scientists and journals balance evidence, advocacy, and credibility."
Important paper @emiliecourtin.bsky.social and team:
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Important paper @emiliecourtin.bsky.social and team:
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Science or Advocacy? The Global Rise of Policy Claims in Population Health Research (1990-2024)
Should original research routinely contain prominent policy claims, such as recommendations for policymakers or broad calls to action? Growing emphasis on “research impact” might be welcome but also h...
www.medrxiv.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:38 PM
1/ "Policy claims markedly increased in frequency from 17.6% in 1990-1999 to 35.8% in 2020-2024... Our findings raise questions about how scientists and journals balance evidence, advocacy, and credibility."
Important paper @emiliecourtin.bsky.social and team:
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Important paper @emiliecourtin.bsky.social and team:
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
Utterly deranged framing on this piece about labor mobility between two massive employers (and health care providers), @bostonglobe.com. Leading with costs to the employer? Poaching?
Beth Israel has poached at least 18 Mass General Brigham primary care clinicians, worth potentially millions in business - The Boston Globe
MGB says the latest departures represent "a small number" of its primary care providers, and vows to help patients with the transition.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Utterly deranged framing on this piece about labor mobility between two massive employers (and health care providers), @bostonglobe.com. Leading with costs to the employer? Poaching?
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
Antifungal 'Nystatin' is named for the NY State Department of Health.
'Statins', on the other hand, are from Latin 'stare' meaning to "stay or hold still" for their ability to slow or stop cholesterol production via inhibition of liver enzyme HMG-CoA reductase.
'Statins', on the other hand, are from Latin 'stare' meaning to "stay or hold still" for their ability to slow or stop cholesterol production via inhibition of liver enzyme HMG-CoA reductase.
Chemist Rachel Fuller Brown was born #OTD in 1898. She co-discovered the antifungal nystatin while doing research for the New York State Department of Health, hence the name. (1/2) 🧪 👩🔬
Image: Smithsonian Institution
Image: Smithsonian Institution
November 23, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Antifungal 'Nystatin' is named for the NY State Department of Health.
'Statins', on the other hand, are from Latin 'stare' meaning to "stay or hold still" for their ability to slow or stop cholesterol production via inhibition of liver enzyme HMG-CoA reductase.
'Statins', on the other hand, are from Latin 'stare' meaning to "stay or hold still" for their ability to slow or stop cholesterol production via inhibition of liver enzyme HMG-CoA reductase.
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
"...the fade-out effect has been viewed as a devastating critique of early childhood programs, our results highlight that fade-out is a key rationale for providing early education to all... largest benefits at scale when everyone receives such programs"
#EconSky #PolicySky
www.nber.org/papers/w33027
#EconSky #PolicySky
www.nber.org/papers/w33027
November 14, 2025 at 9:40 PM
"...the fade-out effect has been viewed as a devastating critique of early childhood programs, our results highlight that fade-out is a key rationale for providing early education to all... largest benefits at scale when everyone receives such programs"
#EconSky #PolicySky
www.nber.org/papers/w33027
#EconSky #PolicySky
www.nber.org/papers/w33027
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
Wow. This is a big deal! New Jersey Supreme Court rules shaken baby syndrome testimony unreliable and inadmissible in child abuse cases
NJ high court rules shaken baby syndrome testimony unreliable and inadmissible in child abuse cases
New Jersey’s highest court has ruled that expert testimony about shaken baby syndrome is scientifically unreliable and inadmissible in two upcoming trials
abcnews.go.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Wow. This is a big deal! New Jersey Supreme Court rules shaken baby syndrome testimony unreliable and inadmissible in child abuse cases
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
The Supreme Court of New Jersey found that "Shaken Baby Syndrome" "has not been generally accepted in the biomechanical community, making expert testimony about it unreliable and inadmissible in court.": newjerseymonitor.com/2025/11/20/n...
NJ high court bars shaken baby syndrome as 'unreliable' in child abuse cases • New Jersey Monitor
The N.J. Supreme Court declared shaken baby syndrome unreliable, affirming lower court rulings in two fathers' child abuse cases.
newjerseymonitor.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:04 PM
The Supreme Court of New Jersey found that "Shaken Baby Syndrome" "has not been generally accepted in the biomechanical community, making expert testimony about it unreliable and inadmissible in court.": newjerseymonitor.com/2025/11/20/n...
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
I'm on the #EconJobMarket! I study how policies and childhood environments shape outcomes of low-income & vulnerable kids.
In my JMP, I study the effects of allowing youth who would have aged out of foster care at 18 to stay until 21—offering support their peers not in foster care get from parents.
In my JMP, I study the effects of allowing youth who would have aged out of foster care at 18 to stay until 21—offering support their peers not in foster care get from parents.
November 20, 2025 at 11:06 PM
I'm on the #EconJobMarket! I study how policies and childhood environments shape outcomes of low-income & vulnerable kids.
In my JMP, I study the effects of allowing youth who would have aged out of foster care at 18 to stay until 21—offering support their peers not in foster care get from parents.
In my JMP, I study the effects of allowing youth who would have aged out of foster care at 18 to stay until 21—offering support their peers not in foster care get from parents.
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
I just learned that AHRQ doesn't have enough staff to review dissertation grant proposals (R36). What a waste - of the time students put into writing the proposals, the administrative staff who process them, and most importantly of the potential research talent that would have been developed.
November 20, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I just learned that AHRQ doesn't have enough staff to review dissertation grant proposals (R36). What a waste - of the time students put into writing the proposals, the administrative staff who process them, and most importantly of the potential research talent that would have been developed.
Some thoughts on optimizing prior authorization in Medicare Advantage, co-authored with some of my favorite scholars @hneprash.bsky.social, @michaelannica.bsky.social, and @egolberstein.bsky.social, and supported by @commonwealthfund.org
www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2025/re...
www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2025/re...
Rethinking Prior Authorization in Medicare Advantage
Prior authorization can help encourage the efficient use of health care resources in Medicare Advantage, but there should be limits on when it’s required.
www.commonwealthfund.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Some thoughts on optimizing prior authorization in Medicare Advantage, co-authored with some of my favorite scholars @hneprash.bsky.social, @michaelannica.bsky.social, and @egolberstein.bsky.social, and supported by @commonwealthfund.org
www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2025/re...
www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2025/re...
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
CDC has overhauled its website to assert that “the claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim”
November 20, 2025 at 2:26 AM
CDC has overhauled its website to assert that “the claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim”
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
To anyone who teaches ethics - the current Eagles team drama is a perfect case study of deontology vs consequentialism.
November 19, 2025 at 5:54 PM
To anyone who teaches ethics - the current Eagles team drama is a perfect case study of deontology vs consequentialism.
My NIH proposal wasn't reviewed as scheduled because of the shutdown.
FOIA-minded researchers of science policy- The shutdown could serve as a natural experiment to study the effects of funding delays on publications, promotion, patents, etc.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
FOIA-minded researchers of science policy- The shutdown could serve as a natural experiment to study the effects of funding delays on publications, promotion, patents, etc.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
NOT-OD-26-005: Interim Guidance on Reopening of NIH Extramural Activities
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Interim Guidance on Reopening of NIH Extramural Activities NOT-OD-26-005. NIH
grants.nih.gov
November 19, 2025 at 3:59 PM
My NIH proposal wasn't reviewed as scheduled because of the shutdown.
FOIA-minded researchers of science policy- The shutdown could serve as a natural experiment to study the effects of funding delays on publications, promotion, patents, etc.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
FOIA-minded researchers of science policy- The shutdown could serve as a natural experiment to study the effects of funding delays on publications, promotion, patents, etc.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
Come be my colleague! Yale School of Public Health has an open-rank search for Health Policy & Management. Focus areas are empirical research in health policy, healthcare management or health services research. You still have time! apply.interfolio.com/176891
November 17, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Come be my colleague! Yale School of Public Health has an open-rank search for Health Policy & Management. Focus areas are empirical research in health policy, healthcare management or health services research. You still have time! apply.interfolio.com/176891
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
Private Medicaid insurers list big networks of doctors to help get billions of taxpayer dollars. Many of those doctors don't actually see Medicaid patients.
Medicaid Insurers Promise Lots of Doctors. Good Luck Seeing One.
Many doctors listed in insurer networks treat few or no Medicaid recipients, leaving patients with long waits. “Don’t get sick.”
on.wsj.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Private Medicaid insurers list big networks of doctors to help get billions of taxpayer dollars. Many of those doctors don't actually see Medicaid patients.
Today brought us a new one in this genre. Life insurance offer! No medical exam required!
November 17, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Today brought us a new one in this genre. Life insurance offer! No medical exam required!
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
Important new analysis identifying the scope of clinical trials disrupted because of NIH shenanigans.
> 74 thousand trial participants affected
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
1/4
> 74 thousand trial participants affected
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
1/4
Clinical Trials Affected by Research Grant Terminations at the National Institutes of Health
This cross-sectional study summarizes the number of trials with terminated grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and calculates the proportion of affected trials among those with previou...
jamanetwork.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Important new analysis identifying the scope of clinical trials disrupted because of NIH shenanigans.
> 74 thousand trial participants affected
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
1/4
> 74 thousand trial participants affected
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
1/4
Kosali Simon is one of my academic heroes. I'm so happy for her.
APPAM is a family affair! Kosali Simon was joined by her two sons to celebrate her transition to APPAM President at #2025APPAM.
November 17, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Kosali Simon is one of my academic heroes. I'm so happy for her.
Reposted by Aaron Schwartz
This is *extremely* bad (for the accuracy of my paper introductions about tech adoption)
...we were wrong. A trial in this month's NEJM confirms what many cardiologists had already come to realize: beta blockers don't help most of the time in the reperfusion era. (2/2) www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
Beta-Blockers after Myocardial Infarction without Reduced Ejection Fraction | NEJM
Current guideline recommendations for the use of beta-blockers after myocardial infarction
without reduced ejection fraction are based on trials conducted before routine reperfusion,
invasive care,...
www.nejm.org
November 13, 2025 at 5:23 AM
This is *extremely* bad (for the accuracy of my paper introductions about tech adoption)