As Patients Turn To Medical Crowdfunding, Concerns Emerge About Privacy
adUnit = document.getElementById("google-ads-F0vg");
google_ad_client = "ca-pub-1897954795849722";
adUnit = document.getElementById("google-ads-F0vg");
adWidth = adUnit.offsetWidth;
if ( adWidth >= 999999 ) {
/* GETTING THE FIRST IF OUT OF THE WAY */
} else {
google_ad_slot = "0";
adUnit.style.display = "none";
}
By Jeremy Snyder, Simon Fraser University
Facebook recently announced that it is getting more involved in the personal crowdfunding business. Individual users will have the option of placing a “donate” button on their posts to raise funds for six categories of causes that include personal emergencies and health-related expenses.
Given the enormous user base of Facebook, this practice will most likely benefit many people. But, as a bioethicist researching issues related to medical crowdfunding for the past two years, I am concerned about this development, particularly with regard to privacy.
Growing popularity of medical crowdfunding
The crowdfunding platform YouCaring reported that medical campaigns were its fastest-growing fundraising category in 2015. Since 2012 YouCaring has raised US$240 million for these campaigns. Similarly, another crowdfunding site, GoFundMe, has raised $930 million for medical crowdfunding campaigns.
Crowdfunding for medical expenses began with the development of personal crowdfunding platforms such as YouCaring and IndieGoGo in the U.S. a decade ago. Campaigners request funds for direct medical expenses such as paying hospital bills for cancer treatment or dental care. Help paying indirect medical expenses is also commonly sought, such as support for time off work and funding for travel to hospitals for treatment.
On the face of it, expanded access to funds through medical crowdfunding on Facebook and other platforms is a good thing. Americans with medical needs and who have limited or no health insurance face either having to forego necessary medical care or having their savings wiped out.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1470694951173-5'); });
(deployads = window.deployads || ).push({});