Comments on: Health Reform – Achieving Universal Coverage http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/01/05/health-reform-%e2%80%93-achieving-universal-coverage/ A Forum for Discussing and Analyzing Healthcare Issues Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:41:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: healthcare 3 http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/01/05/health-reform-%e2%80%93-achieving-universal-coverage/#comment-10917 healthcare 3 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:51:18 +0000 http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/01/05/health-reform-%e2%80%93-achieving-universal-coverage/#comment-10917 Specifically, we need to invest in a new health system that can tackle the growing problem of chronic disease, which is crippling both our health care system and our economy. Of the $2.2 trillion we pour into health care each year, a frightening 75 cents of every dollar goes towards treating patients with chronic illnesses. In Medicaid, this figure is an even more regrettable 83 cents of every dollar; in Medicare, it's an astounding 96 cents. Illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, that in many cases could have been prevented by changes in behavior or could be better managed through early detection and appropriate access to treatment, have risen dramatically over the past three decades, leaving Americans in much worse shape at earlier and earlier ages. The rise in obesity is at the root of this increase. With younger and younger Americans suffering from overweight and obesity, the outlook is grim for finding a solution to stem rising health costs short of helping Americans transform their unhealthy behaviors. The truth is, we can never expect to improve the affordability of health care until we face the dual crises of obesity and chronic disease. And, until we deal with cost, the chance of extending health care coverage to more Americans is grim. Check this out: http://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2009/03/health_care_reform_lets_do_it.html Specifically, we need to invest in a new health system that can tackle the growing problem of chronic disease, which is crippling both our health care system and our economy.

Of the $2.2 trillion we pour into health care each year, a frightening 75 cents of every dollar goes towards treating patients with chronic illnesses. In Medicaid, this figure is an even more regrettable 83 cents of every dollar; in Medicare, it’s an astounding 96 cents.

Illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, that in many cases could have been prevented by changes in behavior or could be better managed through early detection and appropriate access to treatment, have risen dramatically over the past three decades, leaving Americans in much worse shape at earlier and earlier ages.

The rise in obesity is at the root of this increase. With younger and younger Americans suffering from overweight and obesity, the outlook is grim for finding a solution to stem rising health costs short of helping Americans transform their unhealthy behaviors.

The truth is, we can never expect to improve the affordability of health care until we face the dual crises of obesity and chronic disease. And, until we deal with cost, the chance of extending health care coverage to more Americans is grim.

Check this out:

http://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2009/03/health_care_reform_lets_do_it.html

]]> By: Michael D. Miller MD http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/01/05/health-reform-%e2%80%93-achieving-universal-coverage/#comment-7729 Michael D. Miller MD Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:35:46 +0000 http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/01/05/health-reform-%e2%80%93-achieving-universal-coverage/#comment-7729 Thanks HelicalZz - I try to connect pieces of information and provide historical perspectives to create more textured pictures of issues and situations. I think this is important in helping people understand issues, and develop solutions that can have long-term success - which is often hard when reacting to the crisis of the day or week. Please let me know if you have any questions about any of my posts, or have suggestions for issues you'd like to see me write about. Best Wishes, Mike Thanks HelicalZz - I try to connect pieces of information and provide historical perspectives to create more textured pictures of issues and situations. I think this is important in helping people understand issues, and develop solutions that can have long-term success - which is often hard when reacting to the crisis of the day or week.

Please let me know if you have any questions about any of my posts, or have suggestions for issues you’d like to see me write about.

Best Wishes, Mike

]]> By: HelicalZz http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/01/05/health-reform-%e2%80%93-achieving-universal-coverage/#comment-7693 HelicalZz Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:45:59 +0000 http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/01/05/health-reform-%e2%80%93-achieving-universal-coverage/#comment-7693 Nicely presented and well balanced. I am enjoying following your blog and find it very informational. Nicely presented and well balanced. I am enjoying following your blog and find it very informational.

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