Parkinson's Action Network needs your help. We are developing data showing
Parkinson's
cost to society. We would like to ask that you spend a little time and
prepare your own
version of the following information. The information will help us to show
cost effectiveness
of spending more money on research funding to find a cure.
If you have any questions or comment, please let us know.
Example:
David Boots diagnosed at 32, current age is 37.
Society's net cost for his Parkinson's in 1995 dollars = $16,864 per year in
DIRECT costs,
calculated as follows:
Social Security benefits you will receive 10,536
Taxes you won't incur on your $31,500 salary
Federal income tax 3,992
State income tax 1,148
Social Security tax (6.2%) 1,953
MediCare tax (1.45%) 457
TOTAL $18,086
Reduced by taxes on your $12,691 disability pay
Federal income tax (S-1) -944
State income tax (S-1) -94
MediCare (1.45%) -184
Net Annual Cost to "society" for your Parkinson's $16,864
The overall cost of medications is:
5m Eldepryl per day
25/100 Sinemet (5-7 times a day)
Monthly $240 x 12 2,880 /yr
At his current age of 37, he is 28 years shy of the "normal retirement age"
of 65. So, 28
years of disability would cost "society, " in 1995 dollars, unadjusted for
inflation, a total of
$472,192, almost half a million dollars.
Please respond with your Parkinson's cost to society, using the above
elements or any other
added costs you incur now, or will in the future. If you have comments on
this calculation
method, please respond as well.
