The Main Reasons for the Rising Health Care Costs - Essay Example

Independent researches by Dr. Barbara Starfield in a journal published in 2000 reveal iatrogenic damage as the third course of death in the U.S.A (Starfield, 2000). These statistics show that most deaths are related to poor policies about access to health care and quality of health care. Diseases like heart disease and cancer can be mitigated and cured if discovered at an early age. The shocking revelation by Dr. Barbara Starfield indicates there is a problem with our medical practitioners. More deaths occur at the hands of medics than in accidents. The figures are alarming and require a policy change. The government is trying to cover the deficit by introducing policies and new strategies like the Obama health care that targets affordable health care for all citizens.

The main reasons for the rising health care costs.

The ever-rising medical care insurance premiums contribute immensely to the rising cost of health care. In the year 2013, the inflation rate in the United States of America rose by 2%. However, healthcare premiums surged by a whopping 8%. The absurd increase in premiums makes the health care cost continue to increase despite incentives by the government to try to cushion its people. The high cost of hospital care also plays a big role. The cost is in terms of wages for the medics and the high cost of medical equipment and drugs. The cost of new technology is also high increasing the cost of medical care. In the United States of America over 36% of hospitals, use robotic surgery, which is quite expensive. The costs of this procedure are passed down to the patient (Kavilanz, 2012).

The uninsured person in the USA

The rising cost of health insurance premiums in the USA has affected many people and even employers. The number of Uninsured persons in the USA is due to the hard economic times and the growing trend by employers to opt not to insure their workers. The above fact is attributed to the high medical premiums that are increasing each day. Employers opt to employ people on a casual basis to avoid paying their medical premiums (Cutler, 2013). The medical future of the Uninsured person is oblique due to an increase in pay cuts, in the country and employers opting out to pay premiums. The facts make the cost of medical care shouldered by the individual alone. Most of his income will be spent on medical care, which in turn truncates to low GDP and economic growth in the country.

The extent of outcome in providing insurance to the uninsured person.

When the uninsured person is privately or publically, there is a great improvement in their health. A healthy nation is a working nation. The above is a major benefit to the government. The insurance will ensure that the person is covered and able to obtain medical services, prescribed drugs, prevention services, affordable mental health services, and affordable cost-sharing (Jill Bernstein, 2010). The rate of mortality due to preventable diseases will reduce. Affordable access to medical care will help in the detection of diseases and early treatment reducing deaths.

Main benefits to the economy due to affordable health care.

When a nation is healthy, its people tend to work more. David Cutler is affordable. Workers can work longer and more business spring up. This is good for the economy of the country. Casey Mulligan focuses on insurance premiums and tax in terms of the impact of affordable health care. Casey of affordable is to, greater Affordable health care incentives should regulate the insurance premiums to minimize the increase in premiums controlling layoffs (Custer, 2013). The balance between the governments providing affordable health care is delicate and it must be properly monitored to sustain the effort. Read More