The Truth Squad—On the Dartmouth Research

For an excellent, detailed and in-depth response to the critics of the Dartmouth research who have suddenly emerged from the woodwork, (after more than twenty years and more than 100 peer-reviewed publications supporting the work done by Jack Wennberg, Elliott Fisher and others) see Amitabh Chandra’s piece on the Health Affairs Blog.

Chandra is now a Professor of Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and was formerly a Professor of Economics at Dartmouth College.

Comments

[Maggie Mahar]

Karl--

I have been in settings where every assumption is challenged.

On Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, I have been reading Jim Grant's financial newsletter for years. He warned about what was happening to Fannie and Freddie for more than a decade preceding the debacle.

The Bush administration --and Alan Greenspan --ignored the many warnings.
Compared to Greenspan and Bush, Dodd and Frank had very, very little power.

When it comes to "critical analysis where every assumpton is challenged,"
Jim Grant has few peers on Wall Street. He is also a friend.

So please,don't call me "Madam."

[Karl]

Madam, if you think some research is above critical analysis and review -- you have obviously never been in a high-level setting when *every* assumption is challenged.

Example 1: the USA is in a mess financially because, despite a decade of warnings, Barney Frank and Chris Dodd prevented critical analysis and review of Fannie/Freddie.

Only dictators are above critical review. And look how they turn out.