over_the_counter_health_expenses is currently calibrated using a Consumer Expenditure Survey benchmark. If we keep this target, it should be replaced with a broader official macro proxy or removed.
Why the current target is weak:
- CE is survey-based.
- CMS NHEA has a broader official category for non-prescription drugs and medical sundries (
other non-durable medical products).
- Even that NHEA category is not a pure administrative total and is broader than the current model variable, so this may be better handled as a diagnostic or removed entirely.
Proposed change:
- Either replace
over_the_counter_health_expenses with an explicitly documented NHEA other non-durable medical products proxy, or remove it from the hard calibration target set.
Primary sources:
over_the_counter_health_expensesis currently calibrated using a Consumer Expenditure Survey benchmark. If we keep this target, it should be replaced with a broader official macro proxy or removed.Why the current target is weak:
other non-durable medical products).Proposed change:
over_the_counter_health_expenseswith an explicitly documented NHEAother non-durable medical productsproxy, or remove it from the hard calibration target set.Primary sources: