Health spending in 2009 is estimated to be around $2.5 trillion, according to the National Coalition on Health Care. Also, according to the Milliman Medical Index, a family of four would have an average medical cost of about $16,800 in 2009. Many families cannot afford such a large amount of money for medical expenses. There is some government funding available that could help to alleviate this situation.
Government Partnerships
Medical expenses include physician services, impatient and outpatient care, pharmacy visits, and other medical-related charges. Direct federal grant assistance to individuals to cover medical expenses does not exist. The government partners with the states, the medical industry, and many local health and medical facilities to offer people services that are covered by grant funding to those organizations.
Block Grants
The Primary Care Services-Resource Coordination and Development is a block grant that the government gives to states in order for them to coordinate resources at the federal, state, and local levels for the purpose of administering health care services in their regions. This grant allows states to fund health care facilities to meet the needs of medically under-served populations. Some of this funding goes to cover the cost of medical expenses through state insurance programs or free services offered by hospitals, physician offices and health departments.
Unusual Medical Grants
Coal mining and AIDS grants to cover medical expenses are unusual not because of what they're being used for but because most people wouldn't be able to apply for these grants to help cover medical expenses. Coal mining is still a viable form of energy production in the U.S., and AIDS is still a major medical problem for the U.S. population. Coal miners with respiratory problems or AIDS patients in need of dental care could possibly receive grant assistance from the government. Federal grants to cover uncommon medical expenses are not that common, but they do exist.
Hill-Burton Program
Hospitals which decide to use federal funding to build their facilities under the Hill-Burton Program will be required to offer free or reduced medical services to people who are eligible for this plan. This grant-funded program can be utilized by patients after they are admitted to a hospital for care. Many people can completely eliminate the need to pay for medical cost with this program or at least reduce them.
Universities
Government funding is given to research and training hospitals such as the types you would find at a university that specializes in medical training. The Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California is an example of this kind of grant-funded facility that receives government grant assistance. Hospitals like Keck are training facilities and many patients who attend them will receive reduced or free medical care because students-in-training are the primary caregivers.
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