Suppose That a Year of Life Is Worth $100,000, and That

question 62

Essay

Suppose that a year of life is worth $100,000, and that the cost of a new treatment for HIV is $30,000 per year, and that it increases the life expectancy by 3 years. If the discount rate is 3 percent, is the HIV treatment worth the cost to a 30-year-old male who expects to live for 2 more years without treatment.

---

Definitions:

Discount Rate

The interest rate used to discount future cash flows to their present value in capital budgeting projects.

Salvage Value

The projected amount an asset is expected to yield upon being sold at the conclusion of its usable lifespan.

Overhaul Costs

Expenses associated with major repairs or the restoration of equipment to ensure it operates efficiently.

Operating Costs

Expenses associated with the day-to-day functions of a business, excluding costs directly related to producing goods or services.