Choices we need to make
In 1953, the spending of health care dollars between the 35-44 year olds and the 75 years olds was almost equal. Now, for every U.S. healthcare dollar spent on the average 35- to 44-year-old, about $4.50 is spent on the average person aged 75 and older. Although this is intuitively obvious, it is somewhat concerning. More on these statistics can be found at http://www.signaturefoundation.org/Media/2007/Reischauer07.pdf
American healthcare has extended life expectancy since 1953 and living to 75 is now not uncommon. The life expectancy was about 68 in the early ’50s. People now expect active medical intervention to delay and diminish the physical decline that typically accompanies the aging years, but all of these interventions cost money.
Recent reports showed that 36 percent fewer Americans will die of heart attacks this year than did only nine years ago but with Americans continuing to get fatter, even the advances made to diminish heart disease deaths will be overwhelmed with a the new epidemic of obesity and its related problems.
More people are living longer lives despite chronic illnesses that would have killed their parents. The question asked is; Are we absolutely certain that this is a good thing? Can we — should we — continue to disconnect actions from consequences by extending lives ever-longer while our lifestyles remain sedentary and gluttonous?
There are only limited resources and we should at least think about how all of these advances affect our ability to disseminate these resources to the population
Of the $2.3 trillion we spent on healthcare last year, 64 percent was paid out to care for the sickest 10 percent among us and of that, only a very small percentage was paid by the individual.
We cannot continue this trend with the aging population and more personal responsibility has to be undertaken both financially and by lifestyle choices.
American healthcare has extended life expectancy since 1953 and living to 75 is now not uncommon. The life expectancy was about 68 in the early ’50s. People now expect active medical intervention to delay and diminish the physical decline that typically accompanies the aging years, but all of these interventions cost money.
Recent reports showed that 36 percent fewer Americans will die of heart attacks this year than did only nine years ago but with Americans continuing to get fatter, even the advances made to diminish heart disease deaths will be overwhelmed with a the new epidemic of obesity and its related problems.
More people are living longer lives despite chronic illnesses that would have killed their parents. The question asked is; Are we absolutely certain that this is a good thing? Can we — should we — continue to disconnect actions from consequences by extending lives ever-longer while our lifestyles remain sedentary and gluttonous?
There are only limited resources and we should at least think about how all of these advances affect our ability to disseminate these resources to the population
Of the $2.3 trillion we spent on healthcare last year, 64 percent was paid out to care for the sickest 10 percent among us and of that, only a very small percentage was paid by the individual.
We cannot continue this trend with the aging population and more personal responsibility has to be undertaken both financially and by lifestyle choices.
Labels: choice, healthcare, obesity
posted by Anonymous at 6:04 AM
3 Comments:
HB, What can we old folks do ? Just die to save health care cost.
Anonymous 9:59 am.
I agree. I couldn't help wondering as I read HB's post. Would he feel the same once he is in his 60's and 70's? And would his response be different if the decision involved his own mother...or his wife when she reachs "old age?"
I remember several years ago when I was younger, I embraced the idea of medical rationing. But now that I am older, I realize "old people" feel the same as they did when they were in their prime. NO ONE wants to suffer and no one wants to just curl up and die. We can't help we have more numberical digits added to our life cycle.
I believe HB is referring to those people who abuse their body by living an unhealthy lifestyle and expect society to pay their way with regards to healthcare. I am ashamed to admit a close relative of mine is an alcholic, abuses prescription drugs, smokes and doesn't exercise under went open heart surgery 4 years ago (triple by pass) - this person continues to do all the things they had before the surgery in addition to attempting suicide mainly for attention and being in and out of mental hospitals, multiple doctor visits and emergency room trips. They may need another open heart surgery and guess whose paying for it...you and I. This person decided to quit work 15 years ago when they were only 45 years old and found a way to beat the system and receive disablility due to a supposed mental illness..so basically society has been supporting this person for the last 15 years.
So when your taxes go up to pay for the 2nd open heart surgery you know who to thank.
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