Relative financial burden of health care expenditures.
Out-of-pocket health expenditures potentially have a large impact on patients, particularly those with low incomes, leading to reduced utilization of health services and even bankruptcy. This analysis examines the burden of out-of-pocket spending, relative to total income, across several demographic groups. Rural residents had a higher relative burden than urban residents, as did women and Whites. Important policy implications are discussed.
Bennett
Kevin J
KJ
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina 29203, USA. kevin.bennett@sc.edu
Powell
M Paige
MP
Probst
Janice C
JC
D005260:Female; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population; D044465:White People