Current and Future Economic Issues Impacting Healthcare Sector

S. Ruff Dr. Merle Point-Johnson HAS 510 June 15, 2015

Abstract Not unpredictably, the increases in health care spending and the share of GDP dedicated to health care have raised up concerns about the negative influence of health care cost inflation on the U.S. economy. In an era of global economic markets, these concerns are reinforced by the status of the U.S. as a spending outlier among competing nations. The major concern is that rapid increases in health care spending can affect major economic indicators such per capita GDP, employment and inflation. The effects are likely to occur across all sectors of the …show more content…

This puts a great strain on the health care system. Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, heart attacks and cancer are just a few of the conditions that are caused by being overweight. Our expanding waistlines are the result of a more inactive lifestyle, an ever increasing food supply, and less wholesome foods being available to the general public. Staff Shortages is another important issue: This is connected with the first issue regarding funding. Doctors and nurses are in short supply, causing longer shifts and leaving a lot of responsibility on staff. This has a domino effect on patients, as there is a greater chance of error, less time for proper patient care and less quality care overall. Pharmaceutical Companies are in Control: We have them to thank for scientific advances and research, but we can also thank them for skyrocketing costs when it comes to medicine and prescriptions. To put it simply, they have become greedy. This has put a strain on the Medicare and Medicaid system, and has caused many doctors to stop accepting patients with this type of coverage. Significant economic effects of the researched issues
The United States has always been satisfied with its strong healthcare system, yet it has not been able to make access available to this system for all of its citizens. By providing access to health care for the elderly and the poor, Medicare and Medicaid are effective