Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson
LightNews LightNews
profericson.bsky.social
Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson
@profericson.bsky.social
2.2K followers 640 following 120 posts
Professor, Boston University Questrom School of Business. Applied micro, health and behavioral economics.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
profericson.bsky.social
Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson @profericson.bsky.social · Apr 7
🚨 Rethinking Moral Hazard: Moral hazard in health insurance—the increased spending that comes when you get insured—is usually seen as wasteful due to insurance’s price distortion. This paper challenges that view.
Reposted by Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson
malwaretech.com
Founders on LinkedIn still seem to be struggling with the difference between telling people about their humble beginnings and admitting to straight up committing fraud.
November 24, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Reposted by Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson
donmoyn.bsky.social
Sort of surprised Dems are not publicly calling for banning Oracle products from government
self.agency daniel s. @self.agency · 6d
your regular reminder:
November 20, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Reposted by Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson
donmoyn.bsky.social
The DOJ ordered US Marshals to the house of the pardon attorney who refused to sign off on a pardon to give Mel Gibson back his guns. Big law firms told her they supported her but did not want to be seen representing her.
This is the use of government-sponsored fear to silence dissent.
Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, issued a statement saying that I was lying about the circumstances leading up to my firing. Then I was invited by the Democrats on the Judiciary Committee to testify in front of Congress. The administration sent armed U.S. Marshals to my home to deliver a letter warning me about testifying. A career employee who was still at the department helped me get it called off before they got to my house, where my teenager was home alone. I felt the purpose was to intimidate me. And I think it was intended to send a message to other department employees, too, who might be thinking about speaking up. I needed a lawyer. I spent the entire weekend calling all of the lawyers that I know at law firms around D.C. Everybody I talked to was saying: “Thank you so much for what you’re doing. We’ll do whatever we can behind the scenes to support you.” But nobody actually wanted to sit behind me at a congressional hearing. Nobody wanted to put their name on a letter to Todd Blanche.
November 17, 2025 at 1:59 PM
profericson.bsky.social
Elon Musk and DOGE's legacy.
newyorker.com The New Yorker @newyorker.com · 20d
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 11, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Reposted by Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson
profericson.bsky.social
I’m thrilled to share that BU Questrom is launching a PhD program in Business Economics, in collaboration with BU’s Department of Economics. Our goal is to prepare students to do high-impact research setting them up for academic careers. Read a Q&A here: practicingeconomist.com/boston-unive...
October 21, 2025 at 2:08 PM
profericson.bsky.social
I’m thrilled to share that BU Questrom is launching a PhD program in Business Economics, in collaboration with BU’s Department of Economics. Our goal is to prepare students to do high-impact research setting them up for academic careers. Read a Q&A here: practicingeconomist.com/boston-unive...
October 21, 2025 at 2:08 PM
profericson.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 2:20 PM
profericson.bsky.social
Catastrophic coverage is "really designed for someone who has access to a large amount of financial assets or credit, and could cover about $9,000 in healthcare spending as an individual or $18,000 as a family" -Keith Ericson www.newsweek.com/health-cover...
Health coverage expanding for Americans from November 1
Access to catastrophic health coverage is set to be broadened ahead of a projected soar in health insurance premiums.
www.newsweek.com
September 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Reposted by Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson
proffionasm.bsky.social
Suggests anything that the FTC has done without Slaughter can be challenged as invalid and without legal authority. Good scope for some creative attorneys…
September 3, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Reposted by Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson
pamherd.bsky.social
Nearly all PhDs take 5 years--with finishing in 4 a rare outcome. This is deliberately designed to eliminate the international powerhouse that is US postgraduate training.
crampell.bsky.social Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · Aug 29
Trump admin planning to change student visas from lasting for duration of academic program to fixed 4-yr term, and then much harder to renew
Could destroy US ability to attract global talent, particularly those seeking advanced degrees in STEM. The median time to complete a PhD is 5.7 yrs per NSF.
Trump Deals A New Immigration Blow To International Students
Trump officials have proposed a new rule limiting international students to fixed periods of entry, making a U.S. education more precarious.
www.forbes.com
August 29, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Reposted by Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson
imbernomics.bsky.social
Here’s the link to comment on the rule. Please do comment. They can make a difference in litigation. www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
August 29, 2025 at 11:34 AM
profericson.bsky.social
I am honored to be appointed to the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission. I look forward to helping our Commonwealth get better healthcare at lower cost. @masshpc.bsky.social
#mapoli #HealthPolicy @buquestrom.bsky.social insights.bu.edu/professor-ke...
Professor Keith Ericson Appointed to the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission
The HPC is an independent state agency that monitors healthcare spending growth, evaluates policy reforms, and assesses the economic impact
insights.bu.edu
August 28, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Reposted by Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson
donmoyn.bsky.social
Full resignation letter from Demetre C. Daskalakis, a CDC leader, does not hold back.
"The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud."
My resignation letter from CDC. Dear Dr. Houry, I am writing to formally resign from my position as Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective August 28, 2025, close of business. I am happy to stay on for two weeks to provide transition, if requested. This decision has not come easily, as I deeply value the work that the CDC does in safeguarding public health and am proud of my contributions to that critical mission. However, after much contemplation and reflection on recent developments and perspectives brought to light by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I find that the views he and his staff have shared challenge my ability to continue in my current role at the agency and in the service of the health of the American people. Enough is enough. While I hold immense respect for the institution and my colleagues, I believe that it is imperative to align my professional responsibilities to my system of ethics and my understanding of the science of infectious disease, immunology, and my promise to serve the American people. This step is necessary to ensure that I can contribute effectively in a capacity that allows me to remain true to my principles. The recent change in the adult and children’s immunization schedule threaten the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people. The data analyses that supported this decision have never been shared with CDC despite my respectful requests to HHS and other leadership. This lack of meaningful engagement was further compounded by a “frequently asked questions” document written to support the Secretary’s directive that was circulated by HHS without input from CDC subject matter experts and that cited studies that did not support the conclusions that were attributed to these authors. Having worked in local and national public health for years, I have never experienced such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people. It is untenable to serve in an organization that is not afforded the opportunity to discuss decisions of scientific and public health importance released under the moniker of CDC. The lack of communication by HHS and other CDC political leadership that culminates in social media posts announcing major policy changes without prior notice demonstrate a disregard of normal communication channels and common sense. Having to retrofit analyses and policy actions to match inadequately thought-out announcements in poorly scripted videos or page long X posts should not be how organizations responsible for the health of people should function. Some examples include the announcement of the change in the COVID-19 recommendations for children and pregnant people, the firing of scientists from ACIP by X post and an op-ed rather than direct communication with these valuable experts, the announcement of new ACIP members by X before onboarding and vetting have completed, and the release of term of reference for an ACIP workgroup that ignored all feedback from career staff at CDC. Their desire to please a political base will result in death and disability of vulnerable children and adults. Their base should be the people they serve not a political voting bloc. I have always been first to challenge scientific and public health dogma in my career and was excited by the opportunity to do so again. I was optimistic that there would be an opportunity to brief the Secretary about key topics such as measles, avian influenza, and the highly coordinated approach to the respiratory virus season. Such briefings would allow exchange of ideas and a shared path to support the vision of “Making America Healthy Again.” We are seven months into the new administration, and no CDC subject matter expert from my Center has ever briefed the Secretary. I am not sure who the Secretary is listening to, but it is quite certainly not to us. Unvetted and conflicted outside organizations seem to be the sources HHS use over the gold standard science of CDC and other reputable sources. At a hearing, Secretary Kennedy said that Americans should not take medical advice from him. To the contrary, an appropriately briefed and inquisitive Secretary should be a source of health information for the people he serves. As it stands now, I must agree with him, that he should not be considered a source of accurate information. The intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines favoring natural infection and unproven remedies will bring us to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive and many if not all will suffer. I believe in nutrition and exercise. I believe in making our food supply healthier, and I also believe in using vaccines to prevent death and disability. Eugenics plays prominently in the rhetoric being generated and is derivative of a legacy that good medicine and science should continue to shun. The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud. I am resigning because of the cowardice of a leader that cannot admit that HIS and his minions’ words over decades created an environment where violence like this can occur. I reject his and his colleagues’ thoughts and prayers, and advise they direct those to people that they have not actively harmed. For decades, I have been a trusted voice for the LGBTQ community when it comes to critical health topics. I must also cite the recklessness of the administration in their efforts to erase transgender populations, cease critical domestic and international HIV programming, and terminate key research to support equity as part of my decision. Public health is not merely about the health of the individual, but it is about the health of the community, the nation, the world. The nation’s health security is at risk and is in the hands of people focusing on ideological self-interest. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration that I have been afforded during my time at the CDC. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals who are committed to improving the health and well-being of communities across the nation even when under attack from within both physically and psychologically. Thank you once again for the support and guidance I have received from you and previous CDC leadership throughout my tenure. I wish the CDC continued success in its vital mission and that HHS reverse its dangerous course to dismantle public health as a practice and as an institution. If they continue the current path, they risk our personal well-being and the security of the United States.
August 28, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Reposted by Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson
johnmullahy.bsky.social
"The A.I. companies selected to oversee the program would have a strong financial incentive to deny claims. Medicare plans to pay them a share of the savings generated from rejections."

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/h...
Medicare Will Require Prior Approval for Certain Procedures
www.nytimes.com
August 28, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Reposted by Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson
1in9.bsky.social
This imagery is the kind of thing you see in video games to let you know you’re in a totalitarian city or country.
jbendery.bsky.social Jen Bendery @jbendery.bsky.social · Aug 27
The irony/idiocy of this banner currently draped on the Department of Labor building is not lost on me, given all the federal workers he's forced out of their jobs.

(Pic via Getty Images)
August 27, 2025 at 3:28 PM
profericson.bsky.social
July 23, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Reposted by Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson
jacobtlevy.bsky.social
Glad to see @aoc.bsky.social drawing attention to this.

bsky.app/profile/aoc....
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ‪@aoc.bsky.social‬ I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE. This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined. It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
July 3, 2025 at 7:59 PM
profericson.bsky.social
Please, join a protest for democracy this Saturday, June 14th. America deserves better and can be better. www.nokings.org
No Kings
On June 14—Flag Day—Donald Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn’t staged in Washington. ...
www.nokings.org
June 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
profericson.bsky.social
Reducing Administrative Barriers Increases Take-Up of Subsidized Health Insurance Coverage: Evidence from a Field Experiment url:https://direct.mit.edu/rest/article-abstract/doi/10.1162/rest_a_01573/128264/Reducing-Administrative-Barriers-Increases-Take-Up
May 5, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Reposted by Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson
profericson.bsky.social
Summary, video, and ungated paper: practicingeconomist.com/2024/01/25/w...
February 6, 2024 at 3:28 PM
Reposted by Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson
wsanders.bsky.social
www.forbes.com/sites/brucej... Aetna is out of the ACA in 2026
CVS Plans To Exit Obamacare In 2026, Impacting 1 Million Aetna Members
CVS Health plans to exit the individual Obamacare health insurance business next year, leaving 1 million people in 17 states looking for new coverage in 2026.
www.forbes.com
May 1, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Reposted by Prof Keith Marzilli Ericson
profericson.bsky.social
🚨 Rethinking Moral Hazard: Moral hazard in health insurance—the increased spending that comes when you get insured—is usually seen as wasteful due to insurance’s price distortion. This paper challenges that view.
April 7, 2025 at 3:21 PM