Overall, the direct cost of incidental absences is only about 2% of the payroll, according to a 2010 survey of 473 employers of all sizes by benefits consultants Mercer.

WSJ: Debate Over Sick Leave Intensifies

Austin Frakt of The Incidental Economist has a series of posts up exploring the cost-shifting question: whether or not the fact that Medicare and Medicaid underpay doctors and hospitals leads providers to overcharge those with private insurance.

FORBES: Health Wonk Review Review: On Vinson, Ryan, & Gawande

Productivity, competitiveness, cost control, and the quality of goods and services were all largely incidental.

ECONOMIST: As winter draws in