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UMass Economics

Michael Ash interviewed in Portuguese newspaper Publico about new book “Sombras” he has co-authored with Francisco Louçã

Michael A. Ash, economics, is interviewed in the Portuguese newspaper Publico about a new book, “Sombras,” he has co-authored with Francisco Louçã. (Publico, 11/2/17)

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UMass Economics

Gerald C. Friedman says proposed merger between CVS and Aetna won’t help ordinary people and is not good news for consumers

Gerald C. Friedman, economics, says the proposed merger between CVS and Aetna, if approved, won’t help ordinary people. “This is not good news for consumers,” Friedman says. “They will be lucky to be no worse off.” He also says there is a trend toward consolidation in the health care field. “The hidden story in healthcare is the monopolization of services,” he says. “It’s about integrating the health process and avoiding competition.” (Los Angeles Times, 10/31/17)

 

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UMass Economics

Heidi Garrett-Peltier of PERI finds that New York State park system and its visitors generated about $5 billion in spending that supports 54,000 jobs and $2.8 billion in state GDP

A new study by the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) finds that the New York State park system and its visitors generated about $5 billion in spending that supports 54,000 jobs in the state and $2.8 billion in state GDP. Heidi Garrett-Peltier, a PERI research fellow who conducted the study, says, “The beauty and recreational opportunities parks offer are well known, but this study calls attention to the vital role parks play in the economy.” (Real Estate Weekly, 11/2/17)