The overall rate of emphysema has declined 15 percent over the last 15 years in region A. During that period, the total cost of care for emphysema sufferers in region A, after accounting for inflation, declined by two percent per year until eight years ago, at which time it began increasing by approximately two percent per year. Now the total health care cost for treating emphysema is approximately equal to what it was 15 years ago.

Which one of the following best resolves the apparent discrepancy between the incidence of emphysema in region A and the cost of caring for emphysema sufferers?

A . The overall cost of health care in region A has increased by seven percent in the last 15 years, after accounting for inflation.
B. Improvements in technology have significantly increased both the cost per patient and the success rate of emphysema care in the past 15 years.
C. About seven years ago, the widespread switch to health maintenance organizations halted overall increases in health care costs in region A after accounting for inflation.
D. The money made available for research into the causes and cures emphysema had been declining for many years until approximately eight years ago, since which time it has shown a modest increase.
E. Beginning about nine years ago, the most expensive-to-treat advanced cases of emphysema have been decreasing in region A at a rate of about five percent per year.

Kindly explain how the original answer is justified in resolving the paradox ?

The overall rate of emphysema has declined 15 percent over the last 15 years in region A. During that period, the total cost of care for emphysema sufferers in region A, after accounting for inflation, declined by two percent per year until eight years ago, at which time it began increasing by approximately two percent per year. Now the total health care cost for treating emphysema is approximately equal to what it was 15 years ago.

Which one of the following best resolves the apparent discrepancy between the incidence of emphysema in region A and the cost of caring for emphysema sufferers?

A . The overall cost of health care in region A has increased by seven percent in the last 15 years, after accounting for inflation. No - At first go, I thought that this can be ruled out because it is mentioned that "the overall cost for treating emphysema is approximately equal to what it was 15 yrs ago" . But later I realised that this option actually mentions the "overall cost of health care in Region A" not the "Total health care cost for treating emphysema in region A". Anyways, In both the cases - this option is safely ruled out.

B. Improvements in technology have significantly increased both the cost per patient and the success rate of emphysema care in the past 15 years. Correct - if the Improvements in tech have increased cost per patient and also helped in bringing down the rate of emphysema , this shows the discrepancy between the incidence of emphysema in region A and the cost of caring for emphysema sufferers.

C. About seven years ago, the widespread switch to health maintenance organizations halted overall increases in health care costs in region A after accounting for inflation. - No, Opposite to what is mentioned in the argument. "until eight years ago, at which time it began increasing by approximately two percent per year" , which means seven years ago - it actually started increasing. Another problem with this option is the same as in "A". It does not specifically talk about emphysema rather talks about overall cost of healthcare.

D. The money made available for research into the causes and cures emphysema had been declining for many years until approximately eight years ago, since which time it has shown a modest increase. - No, The money for research is out of scope unless it provides a solid proof that the money would indeed have been used if it was available

E. Beginning about nine years ago, the most expensive-to-treat advanced cases of emphysema have been decreasing in region A at a rate of about five percent per year. - No, If the most expensive-to-treat cases are decreasing the cost of health care should decrease considering the fact that the overall rate of emphysema has declined 15 percent over the last 15 years in region A



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Can anyone explain ?
how to prephase such argument?
i started reading question then after reading below middle information :
"During that period, the total cost of care for emphysema sufferers in region A, after accounting for inflation, declined by two percent per year until eight years ago, at which time it began increasing by approximately two percent per year"

i got confuse and lost.
although, after just reading 'Skientist' prephase of question:
"The discrepancy we are addressing is that on one hand the rate of emphysema is decreasing in a population, but on the other hand the amount of money being spent on treating this disease is about the same. Why would we be spending the same amount of money treating less people? "

i was able to get understand the argument and i got right answer

is middle 'blah blah information' just to misguide test taker?
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