Health Care Affordability Lab at Yale | Yale Tobin Center

Our Research

Is There Too Little Antitrust Enforcement in the U.S. Hospital Sector?

Featured Research

Is There Too Little Antitrust Enforcement in the U.S. Hospital Sector?

Featured Research

Is There Too Little Antitrust Enforcement in the U.S. Hospital Sector?

Who Pays for Rising Health Care Prices?

Featured Research

Who Pays for Rising Health Care Prices?

Featured Research

Who Pays for Rising Health Care Prices?

Do Higher-Priced Hospitals Deliver Higher-Quality Care?

Featured Research

Do Higher-Priced Hospitals Deliver Higher-Quality Care?

Featured Research

Do Higher-Priced Hospitals Deliver Higher-Quality Care?

View All Research

Rising health care spending is making it harder for families in the U.S. to live lives of dignity and purpose. Right now, insurance premiums for a family of four cost more than a new car.

The Health Care Affordability Lab at Yale combines rigorous health economics scholarship with strategic policy engagement. We produce timely, policy-relevant health economics research and work directly with decision-makers to ensure that evidence doesn’t just sit on a shelf—it improves the lives of the American public.

Data Visualizations & Tools

We turn complex data about the U.S. healthcare system into clear visuals and tools that help policymakers, advocates, and the public understand what’s driving health care costs and spending. Our interactive visualizations are designed to spark insight, conversation, and change.

The Evolution of U.S. Hospital Markets

This data visualization tool allows users to explore how mergers, ownership changes, closures, and rising market concentration are reshaping U.S. hospital markets.

Coming Soon...

stethoscope on charts and graphs papers

The Rising Cost of Health Insurance Premiums

stethoscope and calculator on charts papers

The Variation and Growth in Hospital Prices

In the Media

News

closeup of congress building in U.S. capital

Testimony: Practical steps Congress can take to bring down health care costs

On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, Yale Professor Zack Cooper testified on Capitol Hill that subsidies for ACA individual marketplace plans should be extended and encouraged Congress to do more to rein in health care spending.

Tobin Center for Economic Policy

December 10, 2025

doctor checking on patient with number graphics over top

$27,000 a Year for Health Insurance. How Can We Afford That?

The debate over whether to extend the expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies has consumed lawmakers over the past two months, precipitated a government shutdown and sparked Republican infighting. Unfortunately, it’s the wrong debate.

The New York Times

December 10, 2025

Professor Zack Cooper and news anchor on CNN

Professor Zack Cooper: Let's have a real conversation about lowering health care costs in America

Zack Cooper, Associate Professor of Public Health and Economics at Yale University, joins CNN's Jessica Dean to talk about the rising cost of health care and health insurance.

November 24, 2025

Podcasts & Videos

zack cooper portrait

FTC Presentation

FTC Presentation

December 11, 2024

Yale building exterior

High Healthcare Costs: Who Pays, Who Benefits

Howie and Harlan are joined by Yale health economist Zack Cooper to discuss his work on surprise medical bills and the impact of high healthcare costs on households, wages, and the economy

Health & Veritas

How to Fix the Hot Mess of U.S. Healthcare

Medicine has evolved from a calling into an industry, adept at dispensing procedures and pills (and gigantic bills), but less good at actual health. Most reformers call for big, bold action. What happens if, instead, you think small?