The impact of air quality on hospital spending / John A. Romley, Andrew Hackbarth, Dana P. Goldman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Romley, John A.

Contributor:

Rand Corporation.

Hackbarth, Andrew.

Goldman, Dana P. (Dana Paul), 1966-

Series:

Technical report (Rand Corporation)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Air--Pollution--Health aspects--California.

Air.

Air--Pollution--Economic aspects--California.

Hospitals--California--Cost of operation.

Hospitals.

Medical care, Cost of--California.

Medical care, Cost of.

Air Pollution--adverse effects.

Air Pollution--economics.

Economics, Hospital.

Medical Subjects:

Air Pollution--adverse effects.

Air Pollution--economics.

Economics, Hospital.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xxv, 50 pages) : illustrations, maps.

Place of Publication:

Santa Monica, CA : RAND Corporation, 2010.

Summary:

"Air pollution is harmful to human health, but little is known about the costs of pollution-related health care. If such care imposes a significant burden on insurance companies and employers, they would have substantial stakes in improving air quality. Reduced medical spending could also benefit public programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. This study estimated the amount of medical spending by private health insurers and public purchasers, such as Medicare, that is related to air pollution. Specifically, the authors determined how much failing to meet air quality standards cost various purchasers of hospital care in California over 2005-2007. The results indicate that substantial reductions in hospital spending can be achieved through reductions in air pollution."--Provided by publisher

Contents:

Introduction Background Analytic Approach Results Conclusions Appendix A: Results Within Regions and by Detailed Payer Type Appendix B: Results for Specific Health Plans Appendix C: Additional Details for Analysis Step 2 Appendix D: Payer Category Assignment