1. A patient is admitted to the hospital with a chronic illness that requires long-term medication management. Which healthcare policy best supports medication adherence for low-income patients? - A) High deductible health plans - B) Value-based insurance design - C) Fee-for-service models - D) Capitation models Answer: B) Value-based insurance design Rationale: Value-based insurance design aims to reduce barriers to essential services by lowering costs for high-value treatments, which can improve medication adherence among low-income patients. 2. In evaluating the economic impact of a new public health initiative, which measure would best reflect the cost-effectiveness of the program? - A) Total program cost - B) Cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) - C) Number of patients served - D) Reduction in disease incidence Answer: B) Cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) Rationale: Cost per QALY is a standard measure used to assess the value of medical interventions, considering both the cost and the quality of life outcomes. 3. A healthcare economist is analyzing the trend of increasing healthcare costs. Which factor is most likely contributing to this trend? - A) Decreased utilization of primary care services - B) Increased generic drug use - C) Aging population and prevalence of chronic diseases - D) Decreased hospital readmission rates Answer: C) Aging population and prevalence of chronic diseases Rationale: An aging population and the increased prevalence of chronic diseases contribute significantly to rising healthcare costs due to the need for ongoing, often complex, healthcare services. 4. When considering reforms to improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery, which model emphasizes the alignment of provider incentives with patient health outcomes?