The clinical and economic development of hospice in the United States
is discussed. The categories and distribution of expenditures for hosp
ice care of the dying are outlined. Economic principles useful to the
analysis of health programs are introduced. A review of the strongest
studies regarding the cost and benefits of hospice care for the dying
is then provided. The article concludes that hospice offers care that
differs substantially from conventional oncologic care of dying people
with cancer, and is either neutral or mildly cost-saving in its influ
ence on health care costs.