How healthcare works. The article 2030 by Richard Baker - Essay Example

When the Bubble Burst Healthcare is without a doubt a topic of interest among many. The current economic crises that leads society left wondering is the healthcare system going to feel similar effects? Healthcare, medical advances, treatments and diagnosis are similar in the fact that they take money to be functional. Without money, there is no way to fund new technology, treat those whom are sick and pay working physicians. Many are left wondering what the future holds for healthcare, one can only hope for the best but predict the worst.

Eventually the bubble known as healthcare can burst and there may be a complete healthcare meltdown. Healthcare works on many different levels. These levels consist of a patient and physician transactions. The patient is in need of a specific type of healthcare and the physician is able to diagnose, treat or refer the patient. This seems so simple but with healthcare on the rise many are unable to fund a patient to physician relationship. Funding can come from many different places but is ever so dependent on the economy.

Government help that contributes to a large portion of funding for medical services can easily be lost and also thrives with the economy. It doesn’t just stop there. Everyday there are new illnesses and problems. Each new illness requires additional funding to help treat the illness. This is not done without funding. With cancers, obesity and substance abuse on the rise, there is a constant need to find new treatments to cure the illnesses. This need is known as medical research and advancement.

Funding from the economy enables medical research and advancement. 2030 by Richard Baker adequately illustrates what the future may hold for those with illness. HOW THIS RELATES TO THE ECONOMY Healthcare relates to the economy in ways that many may not think are related. When physicians prescribe a medicine, that medicine is purchased. The purchase is either paid for out of pocket or by the patient’s health coverage. Either way the pharmaceutical company providing the medicine receives the money for the prescription.

The pharmaceutical company of course keeps much of the money as profit, but also reinvests some of the money into medical advancements and research. A breakthrough in medical advancements and research may allow the pharmaceutical company to be able to sell another product. Creating and selling of new resources contributes to a strong economy. All it takes is for one economic contributor to fail and a ripple effect can be seen in many different economic areas. This continuous cycle is important in allowing the healthcare industry to function and continue to remain stable along with the economy.

How a troubled economy can lead to troubles in healthcare is easily understood. When patients are not going to physicians and paying for services and prescriptions, no money is being given to the healthcare industry. If the healthcare industry is not receiving money, it can fail. It is important to ensure that the healthcare industry remain stable to avoid a complete meltdown which is likely to be quite devastating and have a long awaited recovery. RICHARD BAKER 2030 The article 2030 by Richard Baker has an aggressive outlook on what he predicts the healthcare industry may be like in 2030.

A statement such as “It’s difficult to argue against the belief that the future will be improved by implementing the best ideas we have now”, is a great statement and holds truth. If something is not done now, to find agreement and make changes, then what can be said about the future? The future does not look promising and as stated by Baker, “the bubble may burst”. The approach used by the author in the article is somewhat similar to a scare tactic approach. The approach paints out a picture for the reader to understand and visualize a family in the year 2030 as related to healthcare options and illnesses.

The family is shown as an average middle income family with common healthcare problems. This idea is likely used to try and force