Financial burdens related to health care continue to impact Polish households, with nearly one in ten families grappling with severe expenses that threaten their economic stability.
Recent research highlights that Polish households frequently face financial challenges due to out-of-pocket health care costs. Utilizing data from household budget surveys spanning 2013 to 2021, the study examined instances of catastrophic and impoverishing health expenditures. Catastrophic spending occurs when health payments exceed 40% of a household’s capacity to pay, while impoverishing spending refers to out-of-pocket costs that erode the household’s ability to meet basic needs.
Steady Incidence of Catastrophic Health Spending
The analysis revealed that in 2021, 9% of Polish households experienced catastrophic health spending, a figure that remained relatively stable over the examined period, reaching nearly 10% only in 2020 during peak economic strain. Additionally, impoverishing health expenditures affected 3.3% of households in 2021, showing a decrease from 4.1% in 2013, indicating some progress in financial protection.
Medicines Lead the Burden of Health Costs
Medicinal expenses emerged as the largest contributors to catastrophic health spending, though the significance of other medical services has been on the rise. The study identified significant associations between catastrophic payments and factors such as gender, age, educational level, disability status, residential area, number of children, primary income source, and consumption levels, highlighting the multifaceted nature of financial vulnerability in health care.
- Higher medicinal costs disproportionately affect households with lower income levels.
- Families in rural areas face greater financial strain due to limited access to affordable health services.
- Households with disabled members are more likely to encounter catastrophic health expenditures.
Effective policy measures should focus on expanding coverage for essential medications and enhancing the accessibility of comprehensive health services across all regions. Tailoring financial support to vulnerable groups, such as low-income families and those with disabilities, can substantially alleviate the economic pressure caused by health care costs.
Implementing targeted interventions and continuously evaluating their impact will be crucial in reducing out-of-pocket payments and safeguarding the financial well-being of Polish households. By addressing the identified coverage gaps and considering the diverse factors contributing to financial strain, Poland can move towards a more equitable and sustainable health care system.
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