James Robinson
Professor Robinson's research focused on the economics of the life sciences, health insurance, and health care delivery sectors. He has published three books and over 140 papers in peer-reviewed journals such as JAMA, the New England Journal of Medicine, and Health Affairs. His most recent book, Purchasing Medical Innovation (2015), analyzes the roles of the FDA, health insurers, hospitals, and consumers in the assessment, purchasing, and use of high-cost medical devices. His econometric research centers on the impact of reference-based pricing for consumer choices and employer spending for surgical procedures, laboratory tests, and pharmaceutics. His case study research centers on pricing and patient access for biopharmaceuticals in Germany, the US, and other nations.
In the News
Hospital mergers and acquisitions leading to increased patient costs
The trend of hospitals consolidating medical groups and physician practices in an effort to improve the coordination of patient care is backfiring and increasing the cost of patient care, according to a new study led by a UC Berkeley health-policy expert.