molson_golden2002 Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 This will have to be paid for somehow http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070221/ts_nm/spending_dc WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. spending on prescription drugs, hospital care and other health services is expected to double to $4.1 trillion over the next decade, up from $2.1 trillion in 2006, a government report released on Wednesday found. Despite relative stability in recent years, nearly 20 cents of every dollar spent in 10 years will go toward health care, National Health Statistics Group economists said in their projections looking at 2006 to 2016. Last year's health spending should make up about 16 cents for every dollar spent, they wrote in the journal Health Affairs. Lead author John Poisal told reporters a major factor was an aging population as the "leading edge of the baby boom generation becomes eligible for Medicare," the nation's insurance program for those age 65 and older. Greater spending for prescription medications is expected to fuel much of the increase, Poisal and his team said, especially amid more aggressive treatment of diabetes, heart issues and conditions affecting the central nervous system. Use of cheaper generic alternatives is also seen leveling off, the group found. Some drugs will be introduced in pill and other forms more easily available at pharmacies rather than injectable versions used only at doctor offices. New therapies to treat cancer and other diseases could also increase prescription drug use, they added. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdh1 Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 This will have to be paid for somehow http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070221/ts_nm/spending_dc WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. spending on prescription drugs, hospital care and other health services is expected to double to $4.1 trillion over the next decade, up from $2.1 trillion in 2006, a government report released on Wednesday found. Despite relative stability in recent years, nearly 20 cents of every dollar spent in 10 years will go toward health care, National Health Statistics Group economists said in their projections looking at 2006 to 2016. Last year's health spending should make up about 16 cents for every dollar spent, they wrote in the journal Health Affairs. Lead author John Poisal told reporters a major factor was an aging population as the "leading edge of the baby boom generation becomes eligible for Medicare," the nation's insurance program for those age 65 and older. Greater spending for prescription medications is expected to fuel much of the increase, Poisal and his team said, especially amid more aggressive treatment of diabetes, heart issues and conditions affecting the central nervous system. Use of cheaper generic alternatives is also seen leveling off, the group found. Some drugs will be introduced in pill and other forms more easily available at pharmacies rather than injectable versions used only at doctor offices. New therapies to treat cancer and other diseases could also increase prescription drug use, they added. DOOMED! Damn drug companies and their evil life saving drugs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Darin Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 What? A government program doesn't drive down costs? Gee, that's odd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molson_golden2002 Posted February 21, 2007 Author Share Posted February 21, 2007 DOOMED! Damn drug companies and their evil life saving drugs! You have to read something into my post that isn't there to try and make me look bad. Why? Who does that say more about, you or me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdh1 Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 New therapies to treat cancer and other diseases could also increase prescription drug use, they added. Gosh. lets stop all the new treatments then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molson_golden2002 Posted February 21, 2007 Author Share Posted February 21, 2007 What? A government program doesn't drive down costs? Gee, that's odd. Drive down costs with more people retiring, getting older and sicker? Gees, that would be a trick, government or not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 I don't understand. Just two years ago the Democrats assured me that the big federal entitlement programs were on rock solid footing and we didn't need to worry about a thing for at least 40 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molson_golden2002 Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 I don't understand. Just two years ago the Democrats assured me that the big federal entitlement programs were on rock solid footing and we didn't need to worry about a thing for at least 40 years. Was that just Social Security or all programs? I think it was just during Bush's attempt to privative the system that they made that claim, not about medicare and medicade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts