Idnetify and describe three causes for

the increasing costs of health care.What impact does each of these causes have on society?

Litigation prevention and insurance costs for medical providers.

Expanded use of complex technology to diagnosis and treat disease.

"overhead" costs for developing drugs, including development, testing, field testing, marketing, advertising, and litigation expenses.

Increasing fixed costs for hospital rooms (we used to have large wards).

Insurance costs and profits for Private insurance companies. In some instances, about half of what folks pay insurance companies stays in the company, and never goes to health providers.

These sites may be of help.

http://www.nchc.org/facts/cost.shtml

http://www.kaiseredu.org/topics_im.asp?imID=1&parentID=61&id=358

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Discuss:What_causes_the_increasing_cost_of_health_care

http://www.libraryindex.com/pages/205/Increasing-Cost-Health-Care.html

Identifying and describing the causes for the increasing costs of healthcare requires an analysis of multiple factors. Here are three common causes along with their impact on society:

1. Technological advancements: The continuous development of new medical technologies, facilities, and processes is a major driver of rising healthcare costs. While these innovations have led to improved patient outcomes and better treatments, they also come with higher price tags. The costs associated with research, development, and implementation of advanced technologies often get passed on to patients and healthcare providers, resulting in increased healthcare expenses for individuals and society as a whole.

The impact: The increasing costs due to technological advancements may limit access to healthcare, especially for individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Higher healthcare expenses can also strain public and private healthcare systems, potentially leading to reduced coverage and limited resources. This can result in inequalities in healthcare access and outcomes.

2. Aging population: The rise in life expectancy and aging populations in many countries is another contributing factor to increasing healthcare costs. As people live longer, they often require more complex and frequent healthcare services, including chronic disease management, long-term care, and specialized treatments. Providing adequate and comprehensive healthcare services for an aging population places a significant financial burden on healthcare systems.

The impact: The increasing costs associated with an aging population can strain healthcare budgets and resources. Governments and healthcare providers may face challenges in meeting the growing demand, leading to longer wait times, reduced quality of care, and potential disparities in access to healthcare services for older adults. Additionally, individuals and families may experience financial hardships due to higher out-of-pocket expenses.

3. Administrative and regulatory complexities: The administrative and regulatory complexity of healthcare systems contributes to rising costs. The healthcare industry involves various stakeholders, including insurance providers, hospitals, doctors, pharmaceutical companies, and government bodies. The paperwork, administrative overhead, and regulatory compliance associated with managing these complexities can lead to inefficiencies and increased costs.

The impact: Administrative and regulatory complexities can result in higher healthcare costs for individuals and society. Resources that could have been allocated to direct patient care might be spent on administrative tasks. Healthcare providers may require larger administrative staff, which further raises costs. Additionally, the complexity of healthcare billing and reimbursement systems can lead to increased confusion and potential billing errors, impacting individuals' finances and overall trust in the system.

Understanding these causes and their impact on society can help policymakers, healthcare professionals, and individuals identify potential strategies to address the rising costs of healthcare without compromising quality, accessibility, and equity.