RSSHealthcare Spending as a Percentage of Gross Domestic Product
The United States is the only country where healthcare accounts for more than 13 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, spending 16.5 percent in 2006.
13 Responses to “Healthcare Spending as a Percentage of Gross Domestic Product”
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July 17th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
The essential issue in my opinion is not the total expenditure for the provision of health care so much as the lack of a consensus on the structure of health care delivery.
On one hand we have those who subscribe (well they say they do) to strict capitalist theory and think that the private market, undisturbed by governmental meddling, will deliver the best service at the lowest cost. On the other hand we have the “compassionates” who argue that the less fortunate will be left out by that system and that these disadvantaged are effectively being denied meaningful health care. This justifies their demand for governmental regulation of the private sector and the provision of services to those who are “unable” to participate otherwise.
Rational people agree with both. Ergo, the mess we have because, among other things 1) we leave it to Congress to handle both (which is absurd because they cannot do anything well or inexpensively [or without listening to special interests]); 2) the regulatory measures and health care programs, as with all government “schemes”, require voluntary compliance that is not forthcoming. (penalties and fines are not really widespread enough to change behavior)
The lack of voluntary and effective participation is something we must acknowledge. You cannot disregard the “do-not-tread-on-me” nature of Americans who resent any government intrusion generally and is a factor in the pervasive disregard for “preventative” healthcare. Really now, when did you get your last annual check up? Did you really change your diet like the medical professionals “stongly” suggested? Really? You did? Did everyone you know do the same? I thought so.
What you get is: “I feel okay, why should I get my semi-annual exam?” or “I might have something bad and if I do nothing it will go away anyhow!” from ALL classes of the social-economic structure-both rich and poor. The result: illnesses, diseases and poor nutritional choices are allowed to fester. Left undiagnosised and untreated they delay intervention until it is absolutely necessary–and more costly. (have you been to [name your grocery of choice] and actually looked at peoples shopping carts????….my God, no wonder there are so many fat Americans….they eat poorly and don’t exercise…they are fat and sick). It’s hard to lose weight when you are fat…it’s a fact. Most medications do not cure; they alleviate symptoms and adverse impacts on health–in the short term.
This schizophrenic desire for access to cheap health care and personal aversion to actually using what is available has to be factored into any policy.
My program would be that those who sought government assistance would be required to see the doctor and follow the medical regime prescribed, including dietary mandates. Other benefits would be contingent upon compliance with this basic gateway service. Further, any participation in monetary subsidies would be restricted: mandating that the use of those monies be used (in the case of food stamps) to buy only non-processed foods that provide the essential requirements for a good diet. If they can’t “cook” we’ll teach them. The moment that they start spending a dime on potato chips, candy, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. they lose all the cash subsidies, regardless of the source of the additional funds. Why should the taxpayer fund preventative care when the individual seeking those public funds is working to undermine the value of them. Why should I help with the water bill if they are going to leave every tap in the house on 24/7?
Everyone else would be on the free market. Either it works or it fails. If it fails then the capitalists would have been proven wrong and can be disregarded and a complete re-examination (pardon the pun) of the health care policy would be in order. If it works, great.
July 26th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Jesus, to read all this is way too overwhelming. All I want to know is what formula is used in the presentation. When you look up how the GDP is calculated you learn that there are so many. I like Mr. Perot . I just to know the facts, that’s all
Editor -Almost all of the charts on this site are based on nominal or current-dollar GDP, which is Gross Domestic Product unadjusted for inflation or seasonal variation, which is calculated by the U. S. Commerce Department, Bureau of Economic Analysis. The Federal Reserve and government agencies use this series of numbers in virtually all economic reports which deal with current economic activity. Sometimes GDP is adjusted for inflation (expressed in constant dollars), but most of our charts do not use constant dollars. This is called “Real GDP” or “Constant Dollar GDP” and requires a base year to compute. We state explicitly when charts are using numbers that have been adjusted for inflation.
October 25th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Why is nobody looking at health care like a business?
Write a business plan for Doctors and health care workers
A plan for Hospitals
A plan for Health insurance companies
A plan for insurance companies
Work out a tort solution
Work out a plan to deal with mistakes and make them less frequent.
Increase the supply of doctors and healthcare workers
Implement a universal IT solution
Write a business plan for patients.
Work out an overall uniting business plan.
Collect pertinent data and refine the system.
The Mass healthcare plan seems to be working amazingly well for a start-up. All we need to do is tune it up a little.
Businesses with no profits pay no taxes and provide poor service.