RESUMO
This paper develops a framework for analyzing flexible spending account (FSA) participation and usage. We explore patterns of FSA usage using data from a benefits firm for 1996 including an examination of types of FSA expenditures and their timing. We estimate some simple econometric models of the participation decision and also the decision of how much to put into an FSA. Several pieces of evidence suggest that much of an FSA election amount is based on foreknowledge of expenditures. We also find that participants tend to spend their election amount early, thus obtaining an interest-free loan.
Assuntos
Participação da Comunidade/economia , Planos de Assistência de Saúde para Empregados/economia , Gastos em Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Poupança para Cobertura de Despesas Médicas/estatística & dados numéricos , Participação da Comunidade/estatística & dados numéricos , Gastos em Saúde/tendências , Pesquisa sobre Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Competição em Planos de Saúde/economia , Poupança para Cobertura de Despesas Médicas/economia , Modelos Econométricos , Análise de Regressão , Participação no Risco Financeiro , Isenção Fiscal , Estados UnidosRESUMO
This paper investigates firm behavior when demand is linked over time. Among other things, the theoretical section shows that if firms are forward-looking, anticipated future events can affect current consumption of an 'addictive' good even when consumers are completely myopic. The empirical part of the paper reports a simulation of the 1983 federal cigarette excise tax increase. Both myopic and rational models of consumer demand give roughly the same predictions for per capita consumption, but neither model does very well predicting actual consumption. The problem appears to lie in the prediction of price, suggesting that supply considerations are important.
Assuntos
Comportamento de Escolha , Comportamentos Relacionados com a Saúde , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/economia , Indústria do Tabaco/economia , Custos e Análise de Custo , Competição Econômica , Honorários e Preços , Humanos , Modelos Econométricos , Fumar/economia , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/psicologia , Impostos/legislação & jurisprudência , Indústria do Tabaco/organização & administração , Estados UnidosRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: This paper reexamines the work of Meier and Licari in a previous issue of the Journal. METHODS: The impact of excise taxes on cigarette consumption and sales was measured via standard regression analysis. RESULTS: The 1983 federal tax increase is shown to have an anomalous effect on the regression results. When those data are excluded, there is no significant difference between state and federal tax increases. Further investigation suggests that firms raised cigarette prices substantially in the years surrounding the 1983 federal tax increase, which accounts for the relatively large decrease in consumption during this period. CONCLUSIONS: Federal excise taxes per se do not appear to be more effective than state excise taxes in terms of reducing cigarette consumption. The reaction of cigarette firms to government policies appears to be an important determinant of the success of antismoking initiatives.
