When most diseases are treated successfully, subsequent drains on health care resources are reduced. However, once dialysis is begun it must be continued for a lifetime. The better the quality of care, the longer the patient's life can be extended, a situation that results in a further drain on health care resources, and even their becoming an "unbearable burden" for the NHI program.
這也正是洗腎與一般醫療行為最大的差異所在：一般疾病若治療成功，可以減少後續資源的耗費，但洗腎一洗就是一輩子，照護品質越提升，病患平均餘命延長，卻反倒要耗費更多的醫療資源，甚至成為健保「不可承受之重」。