Designers of National Health Insurance proposals have been greatly concerned with a number of questions. What would happen to the quantity of various services demanded if prices to patients were cut to zero or were cut 75 percent? Knowledge of elasticities is crucial to answering these questions. In a recent study of the demand for dental care, Manning and Phelps estimated price elasticities separately for adult females, adult males, and children. Their results were as follows: a. b. C. Service Cleanings Fillings Extractions Examinations Dentures Crowns Orthodontia Adult Females .79 .58 -.21 .56 .59 -.54 -3 Adult Males .14 .73 1.51 .03 -2.20 -.89 Children 1.34 ..95 .97 .59 1.70 .08 Source: W.G. Manning, Jr. and C.E. Phelps, "The Demand for Dental Care," The Bell Journal of Economics, Autumn 1979, pp. 503-525. If prices to all patients were cut, would expenditure on examinations rise or fall? Why? {Note: Negative entries in the table refer to Giffen goods.} For which service would a reduction in price to children have the smallest effect on expenditure? For which service would a reduction in price to children result in the smallest percentage change in quantity demanded? {Hint: Here and in part (b), exclude dentures.}
Designers of National Health Insurance proposals have been greatly concerned with a number of questions. What would happen to the quantity of various services demanded if prices to patients were cut to zero or were cut 75 percent? Knowledge of elasticities is crucial to answering these questions. In a recent study of the demand for dental care, Manning and Phelps estimated price elasticities separately for adult females, adult males, and children. Their results were as follows: a. b. C. Service Cleanings Fillings Extractions Examinations Dentures Crowns Orthodontia Adult Females .79 .58 -.21 .56 .59 -.54 -3 Adult Males .14 .73 1.51 .03 -2.20 -.89 Children 1.34 ..95 .97 .59 1.70 .08 Source: W.G. Manning, Jr. and C.E. Phelps, "The Demand for Dental Care," The Bell Journal of Economics, Autumn 1979, pp. 503-525. If prices to all patients were cut, would expenditure on examinations rise or fall? Why? {Note: Negative entries in the table refer to Giffen goods.} For which service would a reduction in price to children have the smallest effect on expenditure? For which service would a reduction in price to children result in the smallest percentage change in quantity demanded? {Hint: Here and in part (b), exclude dentures.}
Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
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
Transcribed Image Text:**Title: Understanding Price Elasticity in Dental Care Services**
Designers of National Health Insurance proposals are focused on understanding how certain price changes might impact the demand for dental services. By estimating the price elasticities for dental care among adult females, adult males, and children, crucial insights can be gained. Manning and Phelps conducted a study to assess these elasticities for various dental services:
### Price Elasticity Estimates:
| Service | Adult Females | Adult Males | Children |
|----------------|---------------|-------------|----------|
| Cleanings | 0.79 | 0.14 | 1.34 |
| Fillings | 0.58 | 0.73 | 0.95 |
| Extractions | -0.21 | 1.51 | 0.97 |
| Examinations | 0.56 | 0.03 | 0.59 |
| Dentures | 0.59 | -2.20 | --- |
| Crowns | -0.54 | -0.89 | 1.70 |
| Orthodontia | --- | --- | 0.08 |
Source: W.G. Manning, Jr. and C.E. Phelps, "The Demand for Dental Care," *The Bell Journal of Economics*, Autumn 1979, pp. 503-525.
### Analysis Questions:
a. **Expenditure on Examinations:**
- Would fall if prices are cut because adult males have a nearly inelastic demand (0.03), suggesting spending decreases with price reduction.
b. **Smallest Effect on Expenditure (Children):**
- Orthodontia, with a very low elasticity of 0.08, indicates that price reductions would lead to minimal changes in expenditure.
c. **Smallest Percentage Change in Quantity Demanded (Children):**
- Orthodontia, with an elasticity of 0.08, implies a reduction in price has the least effect on quantity demanded, excluding dentures.
d. **Inelastic Demand for Cleanings:**
- Adult males, with an elasticity of 0.14, show the most inelastic demand for cleanings, indicating minimal response to price changes.
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