Glance at the U.S. Health Insurance
Health Insurance September 13th, 2009
What actually happens in the health services in the United States so that this becomes a crucial issue for the government of President Barack Obama, although this issue seems a domestic issue?
Unlike developed countries who provide comprehensive health insurance for its citizens, health care costs in the U.S., such as the cost of doctors and hospitals, exorbitant height. For example, heart bypass surgery in Canada may cost “only” 10,373 U.S. dollars or approximately USD 103.73 million, while U.S. patients pay 20,673 U.S. dollars USD 206.73 million, 83 percent more expensive than the cost in Canada.
The cost of doctors in the U.S. is higher than 2.4 times in Canada. For one thing, consumers doctors in Canada is only one, namely the Government of Canada that ensures the health costs with broad coverage. While U.S. consumers in a variety of doctors so that they can also determine the price range too. If residents can not afford to pay his hospital bills, U.S. law may declare a person bankrupt. Half of U.S. bankruptcies are cases of people unable to pay medical bills.
Ideally, if the government does not provide affordable health services, residents can be covered by health insurance purchase. Most Americans get health insurance from a company that hired him, including for spouses and children (84.7 percent). Only 9 percent are able to reached into his pocket to buy individual health insurance. Government health insurance covers 27.8 per cent or 83 million people to the elderly, disabled, veterans, and the poor.
The rest, about 45 million people have no health insurance. They are not able to buy an insurance policy is getting more expensive faster than salary increases and inflation. Companies are increasingly reducing their liability to pay employee health insurance premiums. Employees to bear the burden of insurance costs higher.
Very expensive
The high cost of health care in the U.S. due to several things, including prescription drugs and technology. Administration of drugs that must be obtained by prescription and most sophisticated medical technology known as a major contributor to rising health care. U.S. is a major player drug innovation and cost three times more than European countries in terms of biomedical research. Most of the funds obtained from the Department of Health and Human Services.
In addition, the order in the U.S. health system has also changed dramatically in the last century because people can live longer and the prevalence of chronic disease. This caused the demand for health services increases, particularly for old diseases cured and the long-term health services like nursing homes. Request a chronic disease services occupy 75 percent of the total cost of national health sector. In 2007, the U.S. spent 2.26 trillion U.S. dollars for the health sector. The amount is equivalent to the cost of 7439 U.S. dollars per capita or USD 74.4 million per person.
Health costs are also increasing along with the aging of baby boomers are now middle-aged. This trend will increase if the baby boomers had to qualify to get Medicare government service in 2011.
