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This week’s EconTalk podcast is with Robin Hanson [2]. Robin offers a rather ambitious and all-encompassing explanation for why, in his words, "health care is different." His argument is that we are hard-wired via the evolution of our brains to prefer communal and sacrificial expenditures even when such methods are costly.
I challenge the explanation and we go back and forth. And while I remain unconvinced, Robin sure made me think. What I’ve found striking since completing the interview is how it forced me to realize just how differently people do feel about health care. Otherwise wise and intelligent people make arguments in favor of government provision that I don’t think they would make in other areas.
So go listen to Robin and if you agree or disagree with his arguments, enter a comment over at EconTalk. Robin will be checking in now and then to respond.