Are the returns to technological change in health care declining?

摘要

Whether the U.S. health care system sup- ports too much technological change - so that new technolo- gies of low value are adopted, or worthwhile technologies become overused - is a controversial question. This paper analyzes the marginal value of technological change for el- derly heart attack patients in 1984-1990. It estimates the additional benefits and costs of treatment by hospitals that are likely to adopt new technologies first or use them most intensively.