Burden of Catastrophic Health Expenditures for Acute Myocardial Infarction and Stroke Among Uninsured in the United States

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke are unanticipated major healthcare events that require emergent and expensive care. Given the potential financial implications of AMI and stroke among uninsured patients, we sought to evaluate rates of catastrophic healthcare expenditures (CHEs), defined as expenses beyond financial means, in a period before the implementation of insurance expansion and protections in the Affordable Care Act. 1