In: Nursing
In what ways have each of the following affected the costs of health care in the U.S.?
- The health insurance industry -
Advances in medical technology -
Changes in U.S. demographics -
Government support for health care -
Consumer expectations
Answer: The effects of the health insurance industry on the costs of healthcare in the United States have much impact as due to the healthcare insurance industry there is a sharp increase in the healthcare cost. The insurance industry provides the insurance which also includes the primary charges and they have bond with the physician who can charge the amount at their own wish. This leads to increase in the healthcare cost.
The advances in the medical technology also affects the healthcare cost as the development of new technologies that are being used in healthcare organization are much costly as well as the implementation charges are more. So these things accelerates the charges of the healthcare in the organization.
The change in demographic also have much impact on the United States Healthcare system as due to increasing population as well as diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension etc causes much attention and hence the cost of healthcare services is increased.
Government support for healthcare have a little impact although government is working hard to establish and lower the rate of the heathcare cost by introducing Medicare and Medicaid programs and many other health services which can provide quality of care to the patient. But most of the people are still unable to afford these programs as the cost of premiums are much higher.
The consumer expections from the heathcare organization to provide better facilities at minimal charges or cost. But this is not possible as use of advanced technologies for the diagnosis, treatment etc cost much higher than the expectations. So to compensate the expenses there is hike in the medical cost.