John Phelan, Ph.D.

My current research focuses on the cost and benefits of DTCA.  In summary, my empirical research indicates that a substantial number of consumers are receiving life-extending benefits of advertising or Rx drugs that would not have occurred in the absence of this form of advertising.

My current research involves the issue of the expansion of the federal Medicaid program as a result of the ACA.  The focus of this research will be on the effects of expanding Medicaid as a means of providing health insurance. My research will focus on the expansion of the number of consumers that are enrolled in Medicaid in the State of Connecticut. Data will be collected to measure the number of enrollees who will actually have access to physician services given that physicians are not mandated to accept Medicaid for reimbursement for medical care.

 

Refereed Journal Articles

Phelan, J. J. (2014). Does Industry Concentration Matter? Journal of Economics and Economic Education Research, Vol 15(No 1), pp 31-47. Journal of Economics and Economic Education Research

Kalyanaram, G. K., Phelan, J. J. (2013). The Effect of Direct to Customers (DTCA) on Market Share, Sales, and Consumer Welfare. Academy of Health Care Management Journal, 9(No. 1).

Kalyanaram, G. K., Phelan, J. J. (2011). Effects of Direct to Consumer Advertising of Prescription Drugs on Prices. Journal of Business and Economic Studies, 17(No. 2), 10.

Upadhyaya, K. P., Rainish, R., Phelan, J. J. (2009). Currency Devaluation and Aggregate Output in East Africa. Indian Journal of Economics and Business, 8, 221-227. 

Chen, S., Gu, A., Nguyen, V., Phelan, J. J. (2009). Do Mutual Fund Managers Take More Risk Toward Year End? Academy of Accounting and Financial Studies Journal, 14(No. 2), 7. Allied Academies

Phelan, J. J. (1977). Economic Effects of Occupational Licensing: Case Study of the Television Repair Industry. U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Presentations Given

Phelan, J. J., Brown Bag Lunch, "Does Industrial Concentration Reduce Competition," Dept of Economics, Main Campus, University of New Haven. (March 1, 2014).

Phelan, J. J., Allied Academy International Conference, "Effects of Direct-to-consumer advertising on sales of Rx drugs.," Allied Academy, Las Vegas, Nevada. (October 1, 2011).

Phelan, J. J., Allied Academy Conference, Orlando, FL, "Paper on concentration in the US Airline Industry and competition," Allied Academies, Orlando, Florida. (2010).

Upadhyaya, K. P., Rainish, R., Phelan, J. J., "Currency Devaluation and Aggregate Output in East Africa," Midwest Economic Association, Cleveland, Ohio. (March 2009). 

Phelan, J. J., "Reform of Social Security," University of New Haven, West Haven,CT. (2006). 

Phelan, J. J., Southwestern Allied Social Science Association Meetings, "Direct-To-Consumer (DTD) Advertising of Prescription Drugs (Rx): Benefits of Diffusion of Information," San Antonio, TX. (1999). 

Phelan, J. J., "The Structural School of Antitrust and History of Regulation of the US Domestic Airline Industry," Northeastern Business and Economics Association, New Haven, CT. (1999). 

Phelan, J. J. (Discussant), "Discussant, Issues in Health Care Management," Northeastern Business and Economics Association, New Haven, CT. (October 1999).

Phelan, J. J., "Heading South: Losing Connecticut Manufacturing Jobs to Other Areas," Northeastern Business and Economics Association, New Haven CT. (September 1999).

Phelan, J. J., "Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Advertising of Prescription Drugs: Cost/Benefit Analysis of Advertising of Statin Drugs," A Hoc Pharmaceutical Industry Economics Group, New York, NY. (September 20, 1999). 

Phelan, J. J. (Discussant), "Discussant, Economics of Health Care Panel," Southwestern Social Science Association Meetings, San Antonio, TX. (April 1999).

Professional Positions

Academic  

Professor of Economics, University of New Haven. (2012 - Present).

Associate Professor, Department of Public Management, University of New Haven. (1994 - 2011).

Visiting Associate Professor, Department of Public Management, University of New Haven. (1992 - 1993).

Chairmen and Associate Professor of Economics and Business, Albertus Magnus College. (1989 - 1991).
 

Government

Chief of Staff, CT Dept of Consumer Protection. (March 1, 1995 - September 1, 1996).
On leave of absence to serve  as chief of staff of the Dept of Consumer Protection.

Asso.ExecSecretary to the Secretary, HHS, Immediate Office of the Secretary, US Dept of Health and Human Services. (October 1, 1981 - August 1, 1989).
Desk Officer for the Sec with respect to Food and Drug Admin regulatory issues.  Helped develop the initiative to de-regulate FDA's prohibition of Rx advertising directly to consumers that has resulted in a substantial increase in advertising of the availability of Rx drugs such as the Statin drug class.  Health benefits and sales of life-extending drugs has increased substantially over the past 10-15 years. 

Senior Research Economist, Federal Trade Commission. (July 1, 1969 - October 1, 1981).
Research in the area of Professional Licensing; Effects of Restrictions on Advertising in the Professions: Case Study of the Optometry Profession

Professional Service

Reviewer, Journal Article, Southwestern Journal of Economics.
The Importance of Regional Labor Markets to Understanding the Widening Wage Gap Between Black and White Males: Some Evidence from Indiana

Reviewer, Journal Article, Southwestern Journal of Economics. (1999 - Present).
Manufacturing and Rural Economic Development in the US

Reviewer, Journal Article, Southwestern Journal of Economics. (1999 - Present).
The Impact of Mergers on Financial Performance in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Reviewer, Journal Article, Southwestern Journal of Economics. (1999 - Present).
Tobacco Production and the Cigar Industry in the Dominican Republic: Growth Under Constraints

Media Contributions

Newspaper

Hartford Courant. OP-Ed article entitled: Breaking the VA Monopoly.  Won an award from the Hartford Courant for this article. (January 1, 2005).

Courses Taught

• ECON 4455 Honors Course - Modern US Economic History, 1 course
• ECON 6601 Macroeconomics/Microeconomics, 3 courses