Comparison of willingness to pay of continuation for three helicopter emergency medical services using the contingent valuation method

Abstract

Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMSs) have recently increased in Japan, and government funds have accounted for a large percentage of the operational costs. Therefore, the value of HEMSs should be assessed by economic analysis. The purpose of this study was to compare the willingness to pay (WTP) for three HEMSs in Japan using the contingent valuation method (CVM). The investigated targets were HEMS operation areas in central Hokkaido, northern Hokkaido, and northern Chiba. In addition, each area was divided into two groups:a short-range group (a circle within 30 km from the base hospital) and a long-range group (the circumference of a circle within 30-70 km from the base hospital). Participants were recruited from residents living in each operation area. Through an internet-based questionnaire, the participants were asked how much they would pay to continue HEMS in their area if it was abolished. A double-bound dichotomous choice was used as the elicitation method. The median WTP for each area was estimated by the logit model. WTP in central Hokkaido, northern Hokkaido, and northern Chiba resulted in 3,393; 6,696; and 2,399 yen/year, which were significantly different results. Moreover, a significant difference between the short- and long-range groups was revealed for northern Hokkaido. These results show that residents have high expectations for HEMS in depopulated areas.