Premium
Household out‐of‐pocket health care expenditure trends: 1980–95
Author(s) -
Sharpe Deanna L.,
Fan Jessie X.,
Hong GongSoog
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
international journal of consumer studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.775
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1470-6431
pISSN - 1470-6423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1470-6431.2001.00186.x
Subject(s) - liberian dollar , health care , medicaid , health insurance , health spending , medical prescription , business , consumer expenditure , demographic economics , public economics , economics , medicine , finance , economic growth , aggregate expenditure , nursing
This descriptive study examines household out‐of‐pocket expenditure trends for health insurance, medical services, prescription drugs and medical supplies using the 1980–95 Consumer Expenditure Surveys. Constant dollar out‐of‐pocket expenditures for health insurance have risen sharply over time while constant dollar out‐of‐pocket expenditures for medical services have declined, perhaps reflecting health care market changes. Older consumers spent more in constant dollars and had higher budget shares for all aspects of health care than younger consumers. Although Medicare and Medicaid provide access to basic health care, results indicate that, for older consumers who are poor, health care expenditures may still crowd out spending for other necessities.