The rising cost of health care in the United States has heavily influenced public policy debates for the past several years. It is necessary to reevaluate our health care delivery system and look for options that ensure that our older citizens have continued access to high-quality health care services. Advocates of health care delivery in the home have emphasized the need for policy to enhance the use of home care as a less expensive alternative to hospitalization. This article discusses the hidden, unforeseen, and otherwise underreported costs of the delivery of health care both at home and in the hospital for elders with acute health care needs. A detailed analysis of these factors is necessary to make the appropriate conclusions and to advise our legislators as to the most efficient option(s) for health care delivery in the United States.
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