Crowdfunding for health care expenses: Concerns and implications

Abstract

The emergence of crowdfunding as a means to gather financial support for medical expenses has become a global phenomenon. As the prevalence of medical crowdfunding increases within regional contexts, including in Serbia, this article aims to offer a framework for understanding this phenomenon and its ramifications. Drawing upon a review of literature and research mostly pertaining to Anglo-Saxon crowdfunding practices, we contend that the proliferation of medical crowdfunding, which is facilitated by technological advancements, signifies inherent deficiencies within healthcare systems, exacerbated by the erosion of the welfare state. While addressing immediate financial exigencies for some individuals, this practice engenders substantial social, political, and ethical dilemmas. Structured into three sections, the article contextualizes the catalysts propelling the emergence of medical crowdfunding, notably the transformations in welfare regimes. Subsequently, it delves into the opportunities and challenges presented by crowdfunding for medical expenses, while the third section delineates the implications for healthcare systems and policies, underscoring the necessity for research elucidating medical crowdfunding within the contexts of post-socialist countries.