PROBLEMS IN FINANCING THE CARE OF AIDS PATIENTS

The problem of financing the care of patients with acquired immune def iciency syndrome (AIDS) has reached crisis proportions. How will the U nited States cope with paying for the care of AIDS patients, many of w hom either are denied private insurance or simply do not have money to pay for medical care? This article discusses how each component of th e U.S. health care financing system is attempting to minimize its fina ncial exposure to AIDS. It presents remedies that have been suggested in the literature. Finally, it points out the flaws in the current sys tem for dealing with people who suffer from catastrophic illnesses.