Our Health Care Cost Increasing Faster Than Our Pay Scales

Today, in Washington it was officially reported that for every dollar we invest today in health care will be one of five dollars spent in the U.S. in another decade. This basically means that in ten years we will be spending about $1400.00 out of pocket where we currently spend $850.00 annually out of pocket. We will be paying about 5.3% more annually. The overall cost of health insurance though will increase more rapidly in the same time by 6.4% annually by the official reports reported today.

With this type of increased spending in the United States on health care will continue to out due our overall economy pace. According to this same report, that by the year 2016 the total cost of health care will be nearly $4 trillion. This was reported by economists from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Currently the total cost is closer to $2 trillion.

John Poisal who is the deputy director of the government's National Health Statistics Group reported that consumers are spending more money on the latest treatments and a significant increase in the use of imaging equipment to detect blocks and other diseases and ailments. In fact, historically when income rises, the cost of health costs will increase more on the level of 1% in income and 1.5% in health costs.

Of course when new technologies are definitely found and put in place, then there is a tremendous impact on the average length and quality of life according to Doctor McClellan who is a competent analyst who is used to oversee the Medicare and Medicaid programs. He feels that the United States could be doing much better though. He believes that there is a lot of spending going to unnecessary treatments or medical errors. This is definitely an area that we, as responsible individuals should always get a second opinion on crucial health issues, and to do our own homework on the Doctors, surgeons, specialists and even the ailments that we have to ensure the best information and treatments are available. I know that with my liver cirrhosis, I did a very in depth investigation about all related aspects of it, and before I do anything, I explore the most up to date information on these items.

Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said "America's per capita health spending is the highest in the world," With this critical information, the administration is trying to push insurers and health care providers to make pertinent information much more available to the patients. I believe that this will certainly help all to create a much more authoritative decision, instead of just saying okay to the doctor as he is writing out 2 or 3 prescriptions to take care of the effects of the one prescription that the doctor said you needed.

I believe we, as Americans need to become more informed, and a lot more involved in our personal decisions as to how to pay for our medical and health needs, as well as our own insurance. I in addition believe that laws need to be passed that will force insurance companies to use a more appropriate structure to what the insurance includes and does not cover. I further believe that we need to be more informed of the charges of complete services rendered by doctors, specialists, and hospitals. We need to make sure that everything is sensible, and true. For example, why should anyone, insurance company or insured pay $6.00 for 2 aspirin. My Dad had to pay that while in the local hospital after having an unexpected stroke. I could purchase 250 aspirin for that price.

The biggest concern that I see from this relevant information is that we as the average person never receives this critical information until our bills appear. We need to have this information in advance, and need to go about securing a reasonable and honest insurance plan before the financial cost is too exorbitant.