Health care may be 1/5 of what you spend

[one...two...tree 2,762]

By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer

Health care is expected to account for $1 of every $5 spent in the United States in another decade.

That means a rise in out-of-pocket expenses, such as the copays for medicine, from about $850 this year to about $1,400 in 2016, a 5.3 percent annual increase.

The cost of health insurance is projected to rise even more quickly during that same time — 6.4 percent annually.

Over the coming decade, spending on health care will continue to outpace the overall economy. By the year 2016, it will total nearly $4 trillion, economists at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said in a report being released Wednesday.

Today, the number is closer to $1 out of every $6, or $2 trillion.

Consumers are spending more on the latest treatments, despite their rising costs. For example, federal officials cite a significant increase in the use of imaging to detect blockages or other diseases.

Income will also play a significant role in the greater health spending. Historically, when income rises 1 percent, health expenditures go up about 1.5 percent, officials said.

"What that indicates is a desire to purchase good health," said John Poisal, deputy director of the government's National Health Statistics Group.

Dr. Mark McClellan, an analyst who used to oversee the Medicare and Medicaid programs, said greater spending on health care has its benefits. People are not having heart attacks because they're taking medicine that lowers their blood pressure and cholesterol. They're surviving cancer because of more frequent exams and new treatments.

"Greater health care spending is having a tremendous impact on the length and quality of people's lives," he said.

But the United States could be doing much better, he said.

"We know that much of the spending is going to treatments that are unnecessary or lead to medical errors, so we're not getting nearly as much value as we should," McClellan said.

Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said the rising costs are creating anxiety for everyone and as well as a political will to change that trend.

"America's per capita health spending is the highest in the world," he said. "There is simply no place on the economic leader board for a nation that spends a fifth of its domestic product on health care."

The administration is pushing government agencies, insurers and health care providers to make information available that would help consumers become good shoppers. For example, Medicare lists the percentage of pneumonia patients at various hospitals who received a timely antibiotic, an indicator of the quality of care.

"The only force strong enough to change the course of health care is a marketplace where consumers have the information and the incentive to choose quality and keep costs low," Leavitt said.

The economists said their study doesn't determine how much the rising costs will affect the average American family. There are too many factors involved, particularly when the federal government accounts for about half of overall health spending through programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The economists also predict that government programs will gradually replace employers when it comes to providing health insurance for millions of Americans.

"We are moving incrementally away from traditional sources of insurance, such as employer-based coverage, to a system comprising more federal and state government-provided health care," said the economists, whose report will be published in the journal Health Affairs.

___

On the Net:

Health Affairs: http://www.healthaffairs.org

Health and Human Services Department: http://www.hhs.gov

[ELW 5]

Yep, the US could do better. It shouldn't be sooo expensive! I don't even have health or dental yet.

Cute photo!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Yep, the US could do better. It shouldn't be sooo expensive! I don't even have health or dental yet.

Cute photo! Thank you - they are all VJ members!

The Impact of Rising Health Care Costs

* National surveys show that the primary reason people are uninsured is the high cost of health insurance coverage (9).

* Economists have found that rising health care costs correlate to drops in health insurance coverage (10).

* Nearly one-quarter (23 percent) of the uninsured reported changing their way of life significantly in order to pay medical bills (10).

* Almost 50 percent of the American public say they are very worried about having to pay more for their health care or health insurance, while 42 percent report they are very worried about not being able to afford health care services (11).

* In a poll conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, 43 percent of respondents named high costs as one of the two most important health care issues for government to address (12).

* In a USA Today/ABC News survey, 80 percent of Americans said that they were dissatisfied (60 percent were very dissatisfied) with high national health care spending (13).

* One in four Americans say their family has had a problem paying for medical care during the past year, up 7 percentage points over the past nine years. Nearly 30 percent say someone in their family has delayed medical care in the past year, a new high based on recent polling. Most say the medical condition was at least somewhat serious (13).

* A recent study by Harvard University researchers found that the average out-of-pocket medical debt for those who filed for bankruptcy was $12,000. The study noted that 68 percent of those who filed for bankruptcy had health insurance. In addition, the study found that 50 percent of all bankruptcy filings were partly the result of medical expenses (14). Every 30 seconds in the United States someone files for bankruptcy in the aftermath of a serious health problem.

* One half of workers in the lowest-compensation jobs and one-half of workers in mid-range-compensation jobs either had problems with medical bills in a 12-month period or were paying off accrued debt. One-quarter of workers in higher-compensated positions also reported problems with medical bills or were paying off accrued debt (15).

* If one member of a family is uninsured and has an accident, a hospital stay, or a costly medical treatment, the resulting medical bills can affect the economic stability of the whole family (16).

* A new survey shows that more than 25 percent said that housing problems resulted from medical debt, including the inability to make rent or mortgage payments and the development of bad credit ratings (17).

* A survey of Iowa consumers found that in order to cope with rising health insurance costs, 86 percent said they had cut back on how much they could save, and 44 percent said that they have cut back on food and heating expenses (18).

* Retiring elderly couples will need $200,000 in savings just to pay for the most basic medical coverage (19). Many experts believe that this figure is conservative and that $300,000 may be a more realistic number.

http://www.nchc.org/facts/cost.shtml

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

As a Health Care Provider ( Physical Therapist)

I am disgusted with current regulated health Care options available to Americans and legal Immigrants/Residents.

The increase costs can are due to a number of reasons.

1) Individuals abusing the system and not taking personl responsibility for maintaining their health

flooding emergency rooms, medical clinics with ailments that can be remedied outside the ER.

2) lack of education of public to its health care options

3) unisured Illegal Immigrants flooding emergency rooms, taking resources that should be sued to help citizens/ legal residents who can not afford health Insurance.

4)Over run medical facilities with Unisured families who can not afford coverage.

There needs to be a change , I remember when companies use to be able to offer health care coverage for next to no cost to the employee, now employees pay significant costs out of pocket for coverage.

I think that it is time the American Public takes more personal ownership of their health that will in turn help reduce overall health care costs.

There are many factors that one can control to insure they are healthier and live longer

Lifestyle, The ability and Desire to live by the resoultions neccesary to achieve better health & Live Longer!

If we as a society took a more proactive approach to our health we could impact the overall health care system as it is today.

Too many people do not take personal action to take care of themselves, then when they are sick the flood the Er or doctors office. it is kind of like driving a car with out keeping it maintained. maintenance is relatively inexpenisve however try going a year with out maintaining your vehicle and see how much it costs to repair the damage done by lack of proper maintance.

Same goes with your health, if you dont take care of your body before you know it you won't be able to without costly medical expenses.

Prehab instead of Rehab. Disease is when the body is un balanced or in a state of unease.

Insurance costs are not going to change as long as people continue to ignore the need to take responsibility of their own health.

Insurance costs will continue to rise if the Illegal immigration problem is not addressed.As long as govt. allows Illegals access to benefits then legal residents/ citizens will pay for that!

Insurance and health care costs will continue to climb if people do not educate themselves on all of thier options and take control of their lifestyle , personal & Family health.

INVEST if your Future well being!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

3) unisured Illegal Immigrants flooding emergency rooms, taking resources that should be sued to help citizens/ legal residents who can not afford health Insurance.

Not according a study by Rand Corp...

Healthcare for illegal immigrants between the ages of 18 and 64 cost American taxpayers $1.1 billion in 2000 — or about $11 per household — according to a study released Tuesday by the Rand Corp.

The research, published in the November/December edition of the journal Health Affairs, put the cost in Los Angeles County that year at $204 million.

"There are taxpayer implications to illegal immigration, but healthcare is not one of them," said Jim Smith, a senior economist with Rand and author of the study.

....

The Rand study, which surveyed Los Angeles County residents about their use of healthcare services and then used national estimates on cost to put a price tag on the care, found that nearly 22% of illegal immigrants have health insurance, which covered about $362 million in costs in 2000. The immigrants themselves paid $321 million out of pocket.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-he...ines-california

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

That is one source and taken from those who willing reported their status.

The Numbers are much higher than what the source states.

Illegal Immigrants cost US 10 + Billion per year

Main sources of expense are health care & Public education.

Housing is next.

bottom line and my main point is that the American Public needs to take responsibility for its own health. part of that responsibility is supporting Legal immigration Supporting those who enforce campaigns and policies.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

That is one source and taken from those who willing reported their status.

The Numbers are much higher than what the source states.

Illegal Immigrants cost US 10 + Billion per year

Main sources of expense are health care & Public education.

Housing is next.

bottom line and my main point is that the American Public needs to take responsibility for its own health. part of that responsibility is supporting Legal immigration Supporting those who enforce campaigns and policies.

Even at $10 billion a year that only amounts to about $110 per year for each American household. That's NOT what's driven up costs.

What has the rest of the industrialized world done about healthcare? National healthcare coverage for all just in terms of cost makes the most logical sense.

# Health care spending is 4.3 times the amount spent on national defense (4).

# In 2004, the United States spent 16 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on health care. It is projected that the percentage will reach 20 percent in the next decade (2).

# Although nearly 47 million Americans are uninsured, the United States spends more on health care than other industrialized nations, and those countries provide health insurance to all their citizens (4).

# Health care spending accounted for 10.9 percent of the GDP in Switzerland, 10.7 percent in Germany, 9.7 percent in Canada and 9.5

percent in France, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (5).

http://www.nchc.org/facts/cost.shtml

[beameup 0]

1. Get the Lawyers out of the equation - "frivolous lawsuits".

2. Get the Insurance Companies out of the equation.

3. Establish mandatory Tax-Free Medical Savings Accounts for everyone.

4. Stop giving Free Medical Care to Illegal Aliens.

5. Limit the Role of the Government in the Free Enterprise System.

All this should have done rather than the '60s "Great Welfare Society" and "1965 'Welcome Illegals' Immigration Act".

[Heracles 417]

1. Get the Lawyers out of the equation - "frivolous lawsuits".

2. Get the Insurance Companies out of the equation.

3. Establish mandatory Tax-Free Medical Savings Accounts for everyone.

4. Stop giving Free Medical Care to Illegal Aliens.

5. Limit the Role of the Government in the Free Enterprise System.

All this should have done rather than the '60s "Great Welfare Society" and "1965 'Welcome Illegals' Immigration Act".

All the points are great. Point 5 is questionable as the government is the one organization able to heavily punish anyone abusing the system and protect the consumer. Unfortunately the little guy has no way of protecting himself on his own. This is who the government needs to protect. It's not about welfare but more about regulating the industry which is obviously harming the American community. More money wasted on medical means less money to go around in the economy.

Edited February 22, 2007 by Infidel

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

1. Get the Lawyers out of the equation - "frivolous lawsuits".

2. Get the Insurance Companies out of the equation.

3. Establish mandatory Tax-Free Medical Savings Accounts for everyone.

4. Stop giving Free Medical Care to Illegal Aliens.

5. Limit the Role of the Government in the Free Enterprise System.

All this should have done rather than the '60s "Great Welfare Society" and "1965 'Welcome Illegals' Immigration Act".

The "Tax Free Medical Savings Accounts" are a bit of a gyp IMO. My company offers that - the catch is you lose the money you pay into it if you don't use it during the year. Might work for people with already diagnosed chronic conditions who know beyond doubt that they will need treatment, but a bit pointless for everyone else. I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, and then I'd be screwed.

1. Get the Lawyers out of the equation - "frivolous lawsuits".

2. Get the Insurance Companies out of the equation.

3. Establish mandatory Tax-Free Medical Savings Accounts for everyone.

4. Stop giving Free Medical Care to Illegal Aliens.

5. Limit the Role of the Government in the Free Enterprise System.

All this should have done rather than the '60s "Great Welfare Society" and "1965 'Welcome Illegals' Immigration Act".

Point 5 is questionable as the government is the one organization able to heavily punish anyone abusing the system and protect the consumer. Unfortunately the little guy has no way of protecting himself on his own. This is who the government needs to protect. It's not about welfare but more about regulating the industry which is obviously harming the American community. More money wasted on medical means less money to go around in the economy.

Edited February 22, 2007 by erekose

[Ban Hammer 13,336]

1. Get the Lawyers out of the equation - "frivolous lawsuits".

2. Get the Insurance Companies out of the equation.

3. Establish mandatory Tax-Free Medical Savings Accounts for everyone.

4. Stop giving Free Medical Care to Illegal Aliens.

5. Limit the Role of the Government in the Free Enterprise System.

All this should have done rather than the '60s "Great Welfare Society" and "1965 'Welcome Illegals' Immigration Act".

The "Tax Free Medical Savings Accounts" are a bit of a gyp IMO. My company offers that - the catch is you lose the money you pay into it if you don't use it during the year. Might work for people with already diagnosed chronic conditions who know beyond doubt that they will need treatment, but a bit pointless for everyone else. I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, and then I'd be screwed.

1. Get the Lawyers out of the equation - "frivolous lawsuits".

2. Get the Insurance Companies out of the equation.

3. Establish mandatory Tax-Free Medical Savings Accounts for everyone.

4. Stop giving Free Medical Care to Illegal Aliens.

5. Limit the Role of the Government in the Free Enterprise System.

All this should have done rather than the '60s "Great Welfare Society" and "1965 'Welcome Illegals' Immigration Act".

Point 5 is questionable as the government is the one organization able to heavily punish anyone abusing the system and protect the consumer. Unfortunately the little guy has no way of protecting himself on his own. This is who the government needs to protect. It's not about welfare but more about regulating the industry which is obviously harming the American community. More money wasted on medical means less money to go around in the economy.

i need glasses, i think i just saw erekose agree with infidel

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

1. Get the Lawyers out of the equation - "frivolous lawsuits".

2. Get the Insurance Companies out of the equation.

3. Establish mandatory Tax-Free Medical Savings Accounts for everyone.

4. Stop giving Free Medical Care to Illegal Aliens.5. Limit the Role of the Government in the Free Enterprise System.

All this should have done rather than the '60s "Great Welfare Society" and "1965 'Welcome Illegals' Immigration Act".

Exactly; Providing Free service to illegal Aliens, DOES raise cost for everyones else here Legally,Just the same as auto insurance premiums are raised due to all the unisured motorist ( Illegals also make up a majority of illegal unisured drivers) majority just as theft from retail raises cost on cunsumer goods. If services are being offered with out reimbursement then the cost i spassed on to those who pay for those services ( insurance companies & Joe American)

Anyone who enters the USA illegally should Not be allowed 1 cent of Govt. or local aide of any kind with 1 exception free one way trip Back to where they entered from illegally. giving free medical care not only hurts those deserving of it it also rewards criminal behavior.

I also agree that Tax free medical savings accounts should be implemented with some flexibility to help come retirement age.

Edited February 22, 2007 by Addie_Goodvibes

[mawilson 2,133]

Health care is expected to account for $1 of every $5 spent in the United States in another decade.

20% sounds reasonable. Of all of the things that we have, good health is one of the most important.

[Ban Hammer 13,336]

Providing Free service to illegal Aliens, DOES raise cost for everyones else here Legally,Just the same as auto insurance premiums are raised due to all the unisured motorist ( Illegals also make up a majority of illegal unisured drivers) majority just as theft from retail raises cost on cunsumer goods. If services are being offered with out reimbursement then the cost i spassed on to those who pay for those services ( insurance companies & Joe American)

Anyone who enters the USA illegally should Not be allowed 1 cent of Govt. or local aide of any kind with 1 exception free one way trip Back to where they entered from illegally. giving free medical care not only hurts those deserving of it it also rewards criminal behavior.

amen!

[eric&gen 0]

Providing Free service to illegal Aliens, DOES raise cost for everyones else here Legally,Just the same as auto insurance premiums are raised due to all the unisured motorist ( Illegals also make up a majority of illegal unisured drivers) majority just as theft from retail raises cost on cunsumer goods. If services are being offered with out reimbursement then the cost i spassed on to those who pay for those services ( insurance companies & Joe American)

Anyone who enters the USA illegally should Not be allowed 1 cent of Govt. or local aide of any kind with 1 exception free one way trip Back to where they entered from illegally. giving free medical care not only hurts those deserving of it it also rewards criminal behavior.

amen!

hell yea