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Focusing the catastrophic illness debate
The Quarterly Review of Economics and Business
|March 7, 1980
Summary
This study analyzes the incidence and cost of catastrophic illnesses in the US, defined as over $5,000 in annual medical expenses. It aims to fill a data gap and inform discussions on national health insurance.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Public Health Policy
- Medical Sociology
Background:
- Limited data exists on the financial burden of severe illnesses in the US.
- Understanding expensive illness experiences is crucial for health policy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence and cost of catastrophic illnesses in the United States.
- To provide data for the national health insurance debate.
Main Methods:
- Defining catastrophic illness as incurring $5,000 or more in medical expenses annually.
- Analyzing available data on illness episodes and associated costs.
Main Results:
- Quantifies the occurrence and financial impact of catastrophic illnesses.
- Identifies a significant gap in understanding these high-cost health events.
Conclusions:
- The findings highlight the need for better data collection on catastrophic health expenditures.
- This analysis provides a foundation for policy discussions regarding financial protection against severe illness.