Suppose that in the midst of a financial crisis, Mr Burns is forced to sell the SNPP to wealthy chocolate tycoons. The first thing the tycoons do is reverse Mr. Burns’ discriminatory policy against the obese. They eliminate the wage penalty associated with obesity but leave intact the pooled health insurance program, so Homer and Smithers still pay the same premium.

a. Now do Homer’s jelly-eating, sloth like habits impose a negative externality on Smithers? Explain the nature of the negative externality. Is there any loss in net social welfare from this externality? Explain why or why not, and describe carefully any assumptions you need to answer this question.

b. How might an adverse selection death spiral arise at the new SNPP?