Why Health Insurance Costs Vary So Dramatically
Table of Contents
Author(s)
Marah Short
Scholar in Health EconomicsVivian Ho
James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health EconomicsDavid M. Satterfield
Director, Baker Institute for Public Policy | Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public PolicyAbout the Episode
Americans know healthcare is expensive, but what’s less understood is why the cost of coverage can vary so dramatically, even for people doing similar jobs in the same state. Host David M. Satterfield talks with Baker Institute fellows Vivian Ho and Marah Short about a new report examining health insurance premiums across Texas universities. The findings reveal striking differences in what institutions and employees pay for comparable coverage, with gaps that can reach thousands of dollars per year.
This conversation was recorded on May 28, 2026.
Listen and subscribe to “Baker Briefing” on Apple, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.
About Baker Briefing
Hosted by David M. Satterfield, the “Baker Briefing” podcast delivers timely analysis on breaking policy developments and other critical policy issues of the day in conversations with experts at the Baker Institute. New episodes are released weekly.
Select episodes of “Baker Briefing” are recorded in front of a live audience at Rice University in Houston, Texas. These recordings are free and open to the public. To learn about upcoming recordings and other public programming from the Baker Institute, subscribe to our “Events Digest” newsletter, delivered weekly.
This material may be quoted or reproduced without prior permission, provided appropriate credit is given to the author and Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. The views expressed herein are those of the individual author(s), and do not necessarily represent the views of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.