Spending on health care, which is a projected to be 17.6% of the U.S.
gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009, has consistently
grown faster than the economy overall since the 1960s.
In 1970, U.S. health care spending was about $75
billion, or $356 per resident, and accounted for
7.2% of GDP.
Health care spending has risen about 2.4
percentage points faster than GDP since 1970.
Please tell us the source of your touching faith that this rather well-established long-term trend -- one which has already bankrupted millions -- will spontaneously reverse itself.
I should add as well that just because we're spending more on healthcare doesn't mean that it's getting more expensive. We may just be consuming more and better care. Here's a case for that argument:
http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2009/07/keeping-animial-spiri...
Comments
I'm not sure that healthcare costs will necessarily increase over time
From the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, via the Kaiser Family Foundation:
http://www.kff.org/insurance/upload/7692_02.pdf
Spending on health care, which is a projected to be 17.6% of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009, has consistently grown faster than the economy overall since the 1960s.
In 1970, U.S. health care spending was about $75 billion, or $356 per resident, and accounted for 7.2% of GDP.
Health care spending has risen about 2.4 percentage points faster than GDP since 1970.
Please tell us the source of your touching faith that this rather well-established long-term trend -- one which has already bankrupted millions -- will spontaneously reverse itself.
http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/che.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/Hc09_Be...
I should add as well that just because we're spending more on healthcare doesn't mean that it's getting more expensive. We may just be consuming more and better care. Here's a case for that argument: http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2009/07/keeping-animial-spiri...